Super Netball 2022: First-round fixtures revealed, with grand final rematch to open season

The derby will be held on a blockbuster opening weekend of fixtures on March 26-27 held across four states as the competition moves back to home-and-away fixtures after two years of Covid chaos.

While last year’s draw was optimistically released with home-and-away games, Covid outbreaks around the country forced teams on the road, with hubs in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, ahead of the second consecutive grand final at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.

But with state premiers committing to keeping the borders open with most of the population now double vaccinated, a fully-fixtured season should be a reality, something that will come as a relief for players and officials who have spent almost five months in hubs and bubbles over the past two years.

The Swifts and Giants will meet at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena at 7pm (AEDT) on Saturday, March 26, the match tipping off just after the clash between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Collingwood Magpies at Netball SA Stadium at 5pm (AEDT).

In other Round 1 matches, the Queensland Firebirds will host the Melbourne Vixens at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena at 2pm (AEDT), with the West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning closing out the round in a clash at Perth’s RAC Arena at 4pm (AEDT).

A First Nations round will be held across two weeks again next year, giving every team the chance to host during the celebration of Indigenous culture, with many clubs set to hold the event for the first time in three years after two seasons in the hub.

The 2022 season also marks the start of the new broadcasting deal with Fox Sports, with every match available on Foxtel and Kayo.

And the season is set to be more accessible to fans, with later Saturday timeslots introduced to ensure the world’s best league does not clash with the majority of community and junior netball fixtures.

Midweek matches will also be reintroduced, with two rounds of Tuesday and Wednesday matches to ensure the season is completed ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The grand final will be held three-and-a-half weeks ahead of the opening ceremony on July 28, giving the Diamonds a tight preparation for their Birmingham campaign.