NT Cricket is pleased to announce the Top End T20 Series will return to Darwin from 20 to 30 August 2026, with Study NT confirmed as naming rights partner for the next two years. Supported by the Finocchiaro CLP Government, the partnership will use the tournament’s growing international profile to promote the Northern Territory’s international education sector and strengthen Darwin’s connection with key overseas markets.
The Study NT Top End T20 Series will again bring elite Australian and international cricket to the Territory during the Top End dry season, with 33 T20 fixtures to be played at TIO Stadium, DXC Arena, Gardens Oval and Freds Pass across 11 days.
The announcement marks the first major confirmation for the 2026 Series, which continues to strengthen Darwin’s position as Australia’s home of winter cricket. Study NT’s partnership will use the global appeal of cricket to promote the Northern Territory as a destination to study, live, work and build international connections, with a particular focus on key Asian markets that are central to the Territory’s international education sector.
The 2025 Top End T20 Series reached a global broadcast audience of 53.4 million viewers, including 35.3 million viewers in Pakistan and 10.2 million viewers in Bangladesh, with a further 8.8 million unique digital viewers engaging with the tournament online across key markets including Nepal, India and Australia The 2026 Study NT Top End T20 Series will again have a global broadcast footprint, with broadcast partners to be announced in the lead up to the event.
Those markets align closely with the Northern Territory’s international education sector, with Nepal accounting for 26.1% of international students in the NT, followed by India at 19.7%, Bangladesh at 11.4%, Pakistan at 4.8% and Sri Lanka at 2.2%. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, with more than two billion fans globally. Its strong following across South Asia, Southeast Asia and emerging markets gives the Study NT Top End T20 Series a unique role in promoting the Territory to international audiences already deeply connected to the game.
International education is an important economic driver for the Northern Territory, supporting local jobs, workforce development, education providers and cultural diversity. Through the Study NT Top End T20 Series, the Territory will use cricket as a platform to build awareness in international student markets and strengthen business, education and cultural ties.
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations; International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM:
"Cricket is a cultural connector and the Top End T20 Series provides an opportunity for the Northern Territory to strengthen trade, education and strategic ties with other cricketing nations."
"The Northern Territory has a world-class higher education and training sector, and we want to increase the number of international students studying with our Territory providers."
"Study NT’s partnership with NT Cricket provides an unparalleled global platform to promote the Northern Territory into key international education markets across Southeast Asia and North America.”
NT Cricket Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Dovey:
"The Top End T20 Series has quickly become recognised as the second best T20 competition in Australia behind the Big Bash League. Last year, more than 53 million global viewers tuned into the event, providing an incredible platform to market and promote the Northern Territory as a destination to study, live, work and play."
"We are thrilled to welcome Study NT as naming rights partner for the next two years and look forward to working together to showcase Darwin to key Southeast Asian markets and support the growth of the local international education sector."
Launched by NT Cricket in 2022, the Top End T20 Series continues to provide a unique point of difference for Australian cricket and a highly valuable asset for the Northern Territory, combining elite competition, the Territory’s dry season and direct access to key cricket audiences across the globe.
The full fixture and participating teams for the 2026 Study NT Top End T20 Series will be announced in the coming months.