Netball Quad Series and Nations Cup: History, Teams, Format, and Full Winners List to 2025
Data last verified: May 2026
The Netball Quad Series is an international netball competition featuring four of the world’s top national teams, contested annually since 2016 in a round-robin format followed by a third-place playoff and a final.
Originally contested exclusively by Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, the series evolved into the Netball Nations Cup on occasions when one of the core four nations withdrew, most recently in 2024 and 2025, with England claiming their first-ever title in February 2025.
Key Takeaways
- The Netball Quad Series ran from 2016 to 2023, contested by Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa in a round-robin format of six test matches plus a third-place playoff and a final across five days.
- Australia dominated the Quad Series, winning eight of the nine editions staged between 2016 and 2023, with New Zealand claiming the other title in the second edition of 2017, hosted in England.
- The series became the Netball Nations Cup in 2020, 2024, and 2025 when one of the core four nations withdrew, with the format and venue structure remaining identical across all three editions.
- England won their first Netball Nations Cup title in February 2025, defeating South Africa 61-55 in the final at Copper Box Arena in London, ending five consecutive final defeats across nine editions of the Quad Series and Nations Cup.
- Australia holds the record with nine titles across both the Quad Series and Nations Cup formats combined, per confirmed records as of May 2026. No other nation has won more than two titles across the same 12-edition span.
Want to explore the broader international netball calendar, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup in Sydney? Read the full upcoming netball events guide on NetballOne.
What Is the Netball Quad Series?
SANZEA, the international partnership formed by the governing bodies of Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, organizes the annual Netball Quad Series so that the four highest-ranked netball nations can compete in regular test matches outside World Cup cycles.
Australia won the inaugural series in 2016 and went on to become the competition’s dominant team, remaining undefeated across multiple editions in the early years.
On occasions when one of the traditional four has not entered, the series has been replaced by the Netball Nations Cup, which first happened in 2020 and again in 2024.
The Nations Cup operates under the same round-robin format and venue structure as the Quad Series, with an alternative fourth nation replacing whichever of the core four nations withdraws.
The host nations organise the competition on a reciprocal basis by alternating the series between Australia or New Zealand and England or South Africa, allowing each host nation to benefit from home-crowd advantage across successive editions.
For context on how the four core nations rank globally, read the World Netball Rankings guide on NetballOne.
What Is the History of the Netball Quad Series?
The Netball Quad Series traces its organised history to 2012, when the four nations first contested a structured test series under a predecessor format.
It was not until 2016 that the series became a regular annual event under the Quad Series name, with the inaugural edition hosted by New Zealand and won by Australia. Play Netball
Since 2016, the competition has served as the primary annual international test series for the four nations outside the Commonwealth Games and World Cup cycle, enabling players and coaches to develop combinations and tactics in high-pressure match environments across multiple successive tests rather than in one-off fixtures.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced organisers to cancel the 2021 edition, while the Netball Nations Cup replaced the series in 2020, 2024, and 2025, as described below.
The 2023 Netball Quad Series in Cape Town was the last edition held under the Quad Series name. Australia won the 2023 edition, defeating New Zealand 56-50 in the final at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with New Zealand’s Grace Nweke named Player of the Series after recording 166 goals from 180 attempts at 92% accuracy.
What Teams Compete in the Netball Quad Series?
Four nations form the permanent core of the Netball Quad Series: Australia, coached by Stacey Marinkovich and known as the Diamonds; England, coached by Jess Thirlby and known as the Vitality Roses; New Zealand, known as the Silver Ferns; and South Africa, known as the SPAR Proteas.
All four nations rank within the top six of the World Netball Rankings, so every edition of the competition provides genuine preparation for Commonwealth Games and World Cup competition at the highest available standard.
South Africa opted out of the 2024 edition, and Uganda replaced it. In 2025, Australia did not participate, with the field comprising England, South Africa, Uganda, and Malawi.
Uganda entered the 2024 edition ranked 7th by World Netball, making both Nations Cup editions competitive tests for the African nations involved.
For profiles of the leading players representing these nations, visit the player profiles section on NetballOne.
What Is the Format and Rules of the Netball Quad Series?
The Netball Quad Series follows a round-robin format in which each of the four nations plays one test match against every other team, producing six round-robin fixtures, followed by a third-place playoff and a final between the two highest-ranked teams.
Eight test matches are contested over five days within a single host nation, so the entire series forms a compressed, high-intensity block of international competition.
The winner is the nation that finishes the final with the highest win total. Where win totals are equal across the round-robin stage, the highest overall goal margin determines which two teams advance to the final.
Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies broadcast the series live in Australia, while Sky Sports and Sky Sports YouTube air it in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Sport broadcasts the series in New Zealand, and SuperSport covers it in South Africa.
| Stage | Matches | Detail |
| Round Robin | 6 | Each nation plays the other three once |
| Third-Place Playoff | 1 | 3rd vs 4th from round-robin standings |
| Final | 1 | 1st vs 2nd from round-robin standings |
| Total | 8 | Played across five days in one host nation |
What Is the Full Netball Quad Series and Nations Cup Winners List?
Australia dominated the Quad Series era from 2016 to 2023, winning eight of nine editions.
England ended their wait for a first title by winning the 2025 Nations Cup, the first edition England had hosted without Australia in the field. New Zealand’s two titles came in the second 2017 edition and the 2020 Nations Cup.
| Year | Competition | Host | Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place | Fourth Place |
| 2016 | Quad Series | New Zealand | Australia | New Zealand | England | South Africa |
| 2017 (I) | Quad Series | New Zealand | Australia | New Zealand | England | South Africa |
| 2017 (II) | Quad Series | England | New Zealand | Australia | England | South Africa |
| 2018 (I) | Quad Series | Australia | Australia | England | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2018 (II) | Quad Series | England | Australia | England | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2019 | Quad Series | Australia | Australia | England | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2020 | Nations Cup | England | New Zealand | Jamaica | England | South Africa |
| 2021 | Canceled (COVID-19) | |||||
| 2022 | Quad Series | England | Australia | England | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2023 | Quad Series | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand | England | South Africa |
| 2024 | Nations Cup | England | Australia | England | New Zealand | Uganda |
| 2025 | Nations Cup | England | England | South Africa | Uganda | Malawi |
All-time title record, Quad Series and Nations Cup combined, as of May 2026:
| Nation | Titles |
| Australia | 9 |
| New Zealand | 2 |
| England | 1 |
What Happened at the 2024 Netball Nations Cup?
The 2024 Vitality Netball Nations Cup was hosted by England Netball and played across two venues in January 2024: OVO Arena Wembley in London over the first weekend and First Direct Arena in Leeds over the second weekend.
South Africa opted out of the 2024 edition and was replaced by Uganda, making the four competing nations Australia, England, New Zealand, and Uganda. ShuttleworthcollegeShuttleworthcollege
Australia won the 2024 Nations Cup, defeating England 69-49 in the final, with the title representing Australia’s ninth across the combined Quad Series and Nations Cup format.
New Zealand finished third. New Zealand’s Grace Nweke was named top scorer of the series, recording 191 goals from 199 attempts at 96% accuracy. ShuttleworthcollegeShuttleworthcollege
| Position | Team |
| 1st | Australia |
| 2nd | England |
| 3rd | New Zealand |
| 4th | Uganda |
What Happened at the 2025 Netball Nations Cup?
The 2025 Vitality Netball Nations Cup was hosted by England Netball in February 2025, featuring England, South Africa, Uganda, and Malawi across two venues: Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on 1 and 2 February, and Copper Box Arena in London on 8 and 9 February. Australia did not participate in the 2025 edition.
England won their first Netball Nations Cup title, defeating South Africa 61-55 in the final at Copper Box Arena, according to Sky Sports, in what proved to be the sixth time lucky for the Vitality Roses, having finished as runners-up in five previous finals since the competition was established in 2012.
England head coach Jess Thirlby left captain Fran Williams on the bench for the final, with replacement goal defense Funmi Fadoju earning the Player of the Match award.
Uganda finished third after defeating Malawi 50-45 in the third-place playoff. The 2025 series was broadcast on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports YouTube in the United Kingdom and Ireland, SuperSport in South Africa, and NetballPass worldwide. slidesharescribd
| Position | Team |
| 1st | England |
| 2nd | South Africa |
| 3rd | Uganda |
| 4th | Malawi |
For profiles of England’s Vitality Roses and the players driving their current international program, visit the player profiles section on NetballOne.
What Is the Impact of the Quad Series and Nations Cup on Netball Development?
The Quad Series and Nations Cup have had three measurable effects on international netball since 2016.
First, the annual competition window provides national coaches with a structured environment to test squad combinations and tactical systems outside Commonwealth Games and World Cup cycles, ensuring that selections for major events rely on recent high-pressure match evidence rather than training observations alone.
Second, the rotating host model has introduced elite international netball to venues including OVO Arena Wembley and First Direct Arena in Leeds, expanding the sport’s domestic audience in England.
Third, the broadening of the Nations Cup format to include Uganda, ranked 7th by World Netball as of December 2025, and Malawi in 2024 and 2025, gave two top-ten ranked African nations direct test match experience against the world’s highest-ranked teams, so that Uganda’s performances confirmed their readiness for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Australia’s nine titles across the combined format, compared to two for New Zealand and one for England, reflect a sustained dominance across 12 editions that no other nation has matched.
England’s 2025 title signals a genuine shift in competitive parity as the Roses enter the two highest-profile events they will contest in 2026 and 2027: the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Sydney 2027 Netball World Cup. Read the full 2025 Netball World Youth Cup results to understand the pipeline of talent feeding into all four nations’ senior squads.
What Is the Broadcast Schedule for the Netball Quad Series and Nations Cup?
Broadcasters across all participating nations show the Netball Quad Series and Nations Cup, with rights varying by edition depending on the nations involved. Recent editions feature the broadcast partners listed below.
| Country | Broadcaster | Platform |
| Australia | Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies | Foxtel subscription and free streaming |
| England and Ireland | Sky Sports, Sky Sports YouTube | Subscription and free YouTube streaming |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Subscription |
| South Africa | SuperSport | Subscription |
| Worldwide | NetballPass | Streaming subscription |
The absence of Australia and New Zealand from the 2025 Nations Cup prevented broadcasters in those countries from airing the tournament.
. NetballPass, the global streaming platform managed by World Netball, provided worldwide access to all eight matches across both weekends, allowing fans in non-participating countries to follow the full series live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Netball Quad Series?
The Netball Quad Series is an annual international netball competition featuring Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa in a round-robin format of six test matches, a third-place playoff, and a final, producing eight test matches across five days in a single host nation.
Australia has won nine titles since the competition’s inception in 2016.
When did the Netball Quad Series become the Nations Cup?
Organizers rebranded the Quad Series as the Netball Nations Cup for three editions: in 2020, Australia withdrew, and Jamaica replaced them; in 2024, South Africa withdrew, and Uganda stepped in.
In 2025, Australia did not participate, and the field comprised England, South Africa, Uganda, and Malawi. The format remained identical.
Who has won the most Netball Quad Series titles?
Australia holds the record with nine titles across the combined Quad Series and Nations Cup format since 2016, compared to two for New Zealand and one for England.
No other nation has won more than two titles across the same 12-edition span as of May 2026.)
Who won the 2025 Netball Nations Cup?
England won the 2025 Netball Nations Cup on 9 February 2025, defeating South Africa 61-55 in the final at Copper Box Arena in London.
The title was England’s first across nine editions of the Quad Series and Nations Cup competition. Funmi Fadoju earned Player of the Match at goal defense.
Who won the 2024 Netball Nations Cup?
Australia won the 2024 Netball Nations Cup, defeating England 69-49 in the final in Leeds on 28 January 2024.
The title was Australia’s ninth across the combined Quad Series and Nations Cup format. Grace Nweke became the top scorer for New Zealand after converting 191 goals from 199 attempts at an impressive 96% accuracy.
What is the format of the Netball Quad Series?
Each of the four nations plays the other three once in a round-robin stage, producing six fixtures.
The top two nations by wins and goal margin advance to the final, while third and fourth play off separately. Eight matches are played over five days, with all fixtures hosted within a single nation that rotates on a reciprocal basis.
Where can I watch the Netball Quad Series or Nations Cup?
The series airs on Sky Sports and Sky Sports YouTube in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand, and SuperSport in South Africa.
NetballPass provides worldwide streaming and was the only broadcast platform for the 2025 Nations Cup outside England and South Africa.
When is the next Netball Quad Series or Nations Cup?
As of May 2026, World Netball and SANZEA have not yet confirmed the format or dates for the next edition of the Quad Series or Nations Cup.
The next major international window for the four core nations is the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, running from 25 July to 2 August 2026 at OVO Hydro, Glasgow.
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