2026 ANZ Premiership – Elimination Final Preview

June 17, 2026
2026 ANZ Premiership – Elimination Final Preview

 

The road to the 2026 ANZ Premiership title continues this weekend, with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel hosting the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix in the Elimination Final in Invercargill. 

With a place in the Grand Final on the line, history suggests fans can expect a close contest. There have been eight previous ANZ Premiership Elimination Finals and every one has been decided by seven goals or fewer, with an average winning margin of just 4.3 goals. 

The Steel earned hosting rights with a Round 10 victory over the Tactix and return to the ANZ Premiership finals for the first time since 2021, while the Tactix are aiming to keep their title defence alive.   

Steel v Tactix 

Sunday 21 June, 4pm at ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill 

The Ascot Park Hotel Steel and VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix meet for the third time in an ANZ Premiership final, with the rivalry finely balanced after each team claimed one victory in their previous Finals Series encounters. 

The Steel secured a 56-54 win over the Tactix in the final round of the regular season, ending an 11-match losing streak against the Christchurch side and earning the right to host the Elimination Final. 

Both teams know what it takes to win on the biggest stage. The Steel are two-time ANZ Premiership champions, while the Tactix claimed their maiden title in 2025. 

Key points: 

  • The Steel defeated the Tactix 56-54 in Round 10 to secure hosting rights for the Elimination Final. 
  • The Tactix are the defending ANZ Premiership champions. 
  • The Tactix have reached the Finals Series in three consecutive seasons 
  • The Steel return to the Finals Series for the first time since 2021. 
  • The Steel snapped the Tactix's 11-match winning streak against them in Round 10. 
  • Every ANZ Premiership Elimination Final has been decided by seven goals or fewer. 

Elimination Final at a glance 

Ascot Park Hotel Steel v VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix 
Sunday 21 June 
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill 

The winner will advance to the 2026 ANZ Premiership Grand Final against the GoSweetSpot Mystics on Saturday 27 June, 7pm at The Trusts Arena, Auckland.