The Sheffield Shield is Australia’s premier first-class competition and the oldest domestic tournament in the country, first played in 1892-93. Six state teams contest it over the Australian summer, playing ten rounds of four-day cricket before the top two meet in a five-day final. Long regarded as the toughest proving ground for Test cricketers, the Shield has produced generations of Australian stars. The 2026-27 season began on 7 October 2026, with defending champions South Australia chasing a third straight title. Here is the full schedule, teams, squads, streaming details and the complete list of past winners.
Sheffield Shield 2026-27 Schedule
The 2026-27 Sheffield Shield runs from 7 October 2026 to the final in late March 2027, with ten rounds of four-day matches followed by a five-day decider. Here is the complete schedule.
| Fixture | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | ||
| Victoria v South Australia | 7-10 Oct 2026 | Junction Oval, Melbourne |
| New South Wales v Tasmania | 8-11 Oct 2026 | Cricket Central, Sydney |
| Western Australia v Queensland | 8-11 Oct 2026 | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Round 2 | ||
| South Australia v Queensland | 19-22 Oct 2026 | Adelaide Oval |
| Tasmania v Victoria | 19-22 Oct 2026 | Ninja Stadium, Hobart |
| Western Australia v New South Wales | 19-22 Oct 2026 | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Round 3 | ||
| South Australia v Western Australia | 28-31 Oct 2026 | Adelaide Oval |
| Tasmania v New South Wales | 30 Oct-2 Nov 2026 | Ninja Stadium, Hobart |
| Queensland v Victoria | 31 Oct-3 Nov 2026 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Round 4 | ||
| Queensland v Tasmania | 11-14 Nov 2026 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| New South Wales v South Australia | 11-14 Nov 2026 | Cricket Central, Sydney |
| Victoria v Western Australia | 11-14 Nov 2026 | MCG, Melbourne |
| Round 5 | ||
| New South Wales v Queensland | 22-25 Nov 2026 | SCG or Cricket Central, Sydney |
| Western Australia v Tasmania | 23-26 Nov 2026 | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| South Australia v Victoria | 24-27 Nov 2026 | Adelaide Oval |
| Round 6 | ||
| New South Wales v Western Australia | 3-6 Dec 2026 | SCG, Sydney |
| Victoria v Queensland | 3-6 Dec 2026 | MCG, Melbourne |
| South Australia v Tasmania | 3-6 Dec 2026 | Adelaide Oval |
| Round 7 (Day-Night, Pink Ball) | ||
| Queensland v Western Australia | 8-11 Feb 2027 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Victoria v Tasmania | 8-11 Feb 2027 | MCG, Melbourne |
| South Australia v New South Wales | 8-11 Feb 2027 | Adelaide Oval |
| Round 8 | ||
| New South Wales v Victoria | 20-23 Feb 2027 | SCG, Sydney |
| Tasmania v Queensland | 20-23 Feb 2027 | Ninja Stadium, Hobart |
| Western Australia v South Australia | 20-23 Feb 2027 | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Round 9 | ||
| Queensland v New South Wales | 2-5 Mar 2027 | Allan Border Field, Brisbane |
| Tasmania v South Australia | 2-5 Mar 2027 | Ninja Stadium, Hobart |
| Western Australia v Victoria | 2-5 Mar 2027 | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Round 10 | ||
| Queensland v South Australia | 14-17 Mar 2027 | Allan Border Field, Brisbane |
| Victoria v New South Wales | 14-17 Mar 2027 | Junction Oval, Melbourne |
| Tasmania v Western Australia | 14-17 Mar 2027 | Ninja Stadium, Hobart |
| Final | ||
| Final (top two teams) | 25-29 Mar 2027 | To be confirmed |
Note: Round 7 is a day-night round played with the pink ball. The Round 5 NSW v Queensland venue and the final venue are yet to be confirmed. Dates and venues are subject to change.
Sheffield Shield 2026-27 Teams
Six state sides contest the Sheffield Shield. The table below shows each team, its home venue and its number of titles, followed by a closer look at every squad.
| Team | Home Venue | Shield Titles |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Cricket Central and the SCG, Sydney | 47 |
| Queensland | The Gabba and Allan Border Field, Brisbane | 9 |
| South Australia | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 15 |
| Tasmania | Ninja Stadium (Bellerive Oval), Hobart | 3 |
| Victoria | The MCG and Junction Oval, Melbourne | 32 |
| Western Australia | WACA Ground and Perth Stadium, Perth | 18 |
1. New South Wales
New South Wales are the most successful side in Sheffield Shield history with a record 47 titles. The Blues play their home matches at Cricket Central in Sydney, with selected games at the SCG. Their 2026-27 campaign is shaped by heavy national demand, with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon on Australia Test duty and Sam Konstas and Josh Philippe among those with Australia A.
That leaves Charlie Stobo to lead a young group, with Sean Abbott as his deputy and Kurtis Patterson providing top-order experience. Coach Brad Haddin wants sharper four-day cricket from a squad with plenty of promise.
New South Wales Squad: Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Joel Davies, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Hicks, Bryce Jackson, Riley Kingsell, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann, Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Charlie Stobo Rookies: Charlie Anderson, Jake Scott, Harjas Singh
2. Queensland
Queensland have won the Sheffield Shield nine times, with their first title coming in 1994-95. The Bulls split home matches between the Gabba and Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Mitchell Swepson captains the side in 2026-27, with coach James Hopes describing the group as young and exciting rather than rebuilding.
Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw and Michael Neser are tied up with Australia Test duty for the early rounds, so the batting leans on Jimmy Peirson, Hugh Weibgen and Angus Lovell, with Xavier Bartlett, Mark Steketee and Callum Vidler leading the attack. Adam Zampa adds spin depth when free from international commitments.
Queensland Squad: Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett, Hugo Burdon, Jack Clayton, Cameron Gannon, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Marnus Labuschagne, Angus Lovell, Dylan McLachlan, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan, Jack Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Whitney, Jack Wildermuth, Adam Zampa Rookies: Tom Campbell, Steven Hogan, Charlie Lachmund, Oli Patterson
3. South Australia
South Australia are the story of recent seasons, ending a 29-year title drought in 2024-25 and then retaining the Shield in 2025-26 for back-to-back crowns. Coach Ryan Harris now targets a third straight title, with all five home games at Adelaide Oval. Nathan McSweeney captains the Redbacks, though he, Travis Head and Alex Carey feature only when released from national duty.
Jason Sangha and Carey were central to the breakthrough title, while Henry Hunt, Jake Weatherald and Jake Lehmann give the batting depth. Brendan Doggett, Nathan McAndrew and Henry Thornton lead a seam attack backed by leg-spinner Lloyd Pope.
South Australia Squad: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Gilkes, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Hanno Jacobs, Spencer Johnson, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Noah McFadyen, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Henry Thornton, Campbell Thompson, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Mackenzie Harvey, Jake Weatherald Rookies: Thomas Brown, Kane Halfpenny, Douwtjie Hoogenboezem, Hayden Schiller
4. Tasmania
Tasmania have lifted the Sheffield Shield three times, in 2006-07, 2010-11 and 2012-13. The Tigers play at Ninja Stadium in Hobart, the ground long known as Bellerive Oval. Jordan Silk captains the side in 2026-27, leading a group that mixes experience and youth.
Beau Webster is on Australia Test duty, while Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Billy Stanlake, Riley Meredith, Nikhil Chaudhary and Mitch Owen are away on national or Australia A assignments early on. That hands chances to Tim Ward, Caleb Jewell, Jake Doran and the returning Ben McDermott, with Gabe Bell and Will Prestwidge sharing new-ball duties.
Tasmania Squad: Squad: Marcus Bean, Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Kuhnemann, Raf MacMillan, Caelan Maladay, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Jordan Silk, Billy Stanlake, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Teague Wyllie Rookies: Kasey Barton, Zac Curtain, Aidan O’Connor, Nitesh Samuel, William Taylor
5. Victoria
Victoria are the second-most successful state with 32 titles, though they have not won since 2018-19. The Vics host matches at the MCG and the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Peter Handscomb captains a side that coach Chris Rogers rates as young and talented after going close last season.
Scott Boland, Todd Murphy, Will Sutherland and Sam Harper have national or representative commitments early on, so Marcus Harris and Campbell Kellaway anchor the batting while Fergus O’Neill, Sam Elliott and Mitch Perry, the leading wicket-takers from last season, carry the attack. It adds up to one of the deeper squads in the competition.
Victoria Squad: Squad: Austin Anlezark, Liam Blackford, Scott Boland, Dylan Brasher, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Harry Dixon, Sam Elliott, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Cam McClure, David Moody, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Mitch Perry, Tyler Pearson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Doug Warren Rookies: Harry Hoekstra, Tom Paddington, Aryan Sharma
6. Western Australia
Western Australia are among the powerhouses of the modern Shield, with 18 titles and a run of three straight crowns from 2021-22 to 2023-24. The Warriors are based at the WACA Ground and Perth Stadium. A new era begins in 2026-27 with Aaron Hardie named red-ball captain under a new head coach.
Josh Inglis is on Australia Test duty, while Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Mahli Beardman have other national commitments early on. Cameron Bancroft, Sam Whiteman and Hilton Cartwright give the batting a solid core, with Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris and Corey Rocchiccioli forming a dangerous bowling group.
Western Australia Squad: Cameron Bancroft, Mahli Beardman, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Josh Inglis, Will Malajczuk, Mitch Marsh, Tom Murray, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman Rookies: Simon Budge, Albert Esterhuysen, Jordan Quiggin, Corey Wasley
Note: Players listed may miss early rounds while on Australia or Australia A duty. Squads are the state contract lists for 2026-27.
Sheffield Shield 2026-27 Live Streaming
Every match of the 2026-27 Sheffield Shield is streamed live, with Cricket Australia carrying the action worldwide through cricket.com.au and the CA Live app. In Australia, Fox Cricket also televises one match per round from round two, plus the final. Here is where to watch by region.
| Country / Region | Where to Watch |
|---|---|
| Australia | Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket (one match per round from round two, plus the final) |
| India | FanCode |
| Nepal and Sri Lanka | Styx Sports |
| United Kingdom | cricket.com.au and the CA Live app |
| United States | cricket.com.au and the CA Live app |
| Rest of the world | cricket.com.au and the CA Live app |
Streaming and broadcast rights vary by region and are subject to change.
Sheffield Shield Winners List
The Sheffield Shield has been contested since 1892-93. New South Wales are the most successful side with 47 titles, ahead of Victoria on 32, Western Australia on 18, South Australia on 15, Queensland on 9 and Tasmania on 3. The full list of champions is below.
| Season | Champion | Season | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1892-93 | Victoria | 1893-94 | South Australia |
| 1894-95 | Victoria | 1895-96 | New South Wales |
| 1896-97 | New South Wales | 1897-98 | Victoria |
| 1898-99 | Victoria | 1899-1900 | New South Wales |
| 1900-01 | Victoria | 1901-02 | New South Wales |
| 1902-03 | New South Wales | 1903-04 | New South Wales |
| 1904-05 | New South Wales | 1905-06 | New South Wales |
| 1906-07 | New South Wales | 1907-08 | Victoria |
| 1908-09 | New South Wales | 1909-10 | South Australia |
| 1910-11 | New South Wales | 1911-12 | New South Wales |
| 1912-13 | South Australia | 1913-14 | New South Wales |
| 1914-15 | Victoria | 1919-20 | New South Wales |
| 1920-21 | New South Wales | 1921-22 | Victoria |
| 1922-23 | New South Wales | 1923-24 | Victoria |
| 1924-25 | Victoria | 1925-26 | New South Wales |
| 1926-27 | South Australia | 1927-28 | Victoria |
| 1928-29 | New South Wales | 1929-30 | Victoria |
| 1930-31 | Victoria | 1931-32 | New South Wales |
| 1932-33 | New South Wales | 1933-34 | Victoria |
| 1934-35 | Victoria | 1935-36 | South Australia |
| 1936-37 | Victoria | 1937-38 | New South Wales |
| 1938-39 | South Australia | 1939-40 | New South Wales |
| 1946-47 | Victoria | 1947-48 | Western Australia |
| 1948-49 | New South Wales | 1949-50 | New South Wales |
| 1950-51 | Victoria | 1951-52 | New South Wales |
| 1952-53 | South Australia | 1953-54 | New South Wales |
| 1954-55 | New South Wales | 1955-56 | New South Wales |
| 1956-57 | New South Wales | 1957-58 | New South Wales |
| 1958-59 | New South Wales | 1959-60 | New South Wales |
| 1960-61 | New South Wales | 1961-62 | New South Wales |
| 1962-63 | Victoria | 1963-64 | South Australia |
| 1964-65 | New South Wales | 1965-66 | New South Wales |
| 1966-67 | Victoria | 1967-68 | Western Australia |
| 1968-69 | South Australia | 1969-70 | Victoria |
| 1970-71 | South Australia | 1971-72 | Western Australia |
| 1972-73 | Western Australia | 1973-74 | Victoria |
| 1974-75 | Western Australia | 1975-76 | South Australia |
| 1976-77 | Western Australia | 1977-78 | Western Australia |
| 1978-79 | Victoria | 1979-80 | Victoria |
| 1980-81 | Western Australia | 1981-82 | South Australia |
| 1982-83 | New South Wales | 1983-84 | Western Australia |
| 1984-85 | New South Wales | 1985-86 | New South Wales |
| 1986-87 | Western Australia | 1987-88 | Western Australia |
| 1988-89 | Western Australia | 1989-90 | New South Wales |
| 1990-91 | Victoria | 1991-92 | Western Australia |
| 1992-93 | New South Wales | 1993-94 | New South Wales |
| 1994-95 | Queensland | 1995-96 | South Australia |
| 1996-97 | Queensland | 1997-98 | Western Australia |
| 1998-99 | Western Australia | 1999-2000 | Queensland |
| 2000-01 | Queensland | 2001-02 | Queensland |
| 2002-03 | New South Wales | 2003-04 | Victoria |
| 2004-05 | New South Wales | 2005-06 | Queensland |
| 2006-07 | Tasmania | 2007-08 | New South Wales |
| 2008-09 | Victoria | 2009-10 | Victoria |
| 2010-11 | Tasmania | 2011-12 | Queensland |
| 2012-13 | Tasmania | 2013-14 | New South Wales |
| 2014-15 | Victoria | 2015-16 | Victoria |
| 2016-17 | Victoria | 2017-18 | Queensland |
| 2018-19 | Victoria | 2019-20 | New South Wales |
| 2020-21 | Queensland | 2021-22 | Western Australia |
| 2022-23 | Western Australia | 2023-24 | Western Australia |
| 2024-25 | South Australia | 2025-26 | South Australia |
The competition was not held from 1915-16 to 1918-19 and from 1940-41 to 1945-46 due to the two World Wars.
Verdict – Sheffield Shield 2026-27 Has Started From 07 October
The 2026-27 Sheffield Shield has started from 7 October 2026 and runs through to the final in late March 2027. South Australia begin as back-to-back champions and the team to beat, but Western Australia’s recent dominance, Victoria’s depth and a hungry Queensland group all point to a competitive season. With many frontline players rotating in and out for Australia and Australia A duty, squad depth will decide plenty of results. For fans and selectors alike, the Shield remains the clearest window into the next wave of Australian Test cricketers.
