2026 ASICS & adidas Netball Shoes Are Here

Mike Wood · 28 January, 2026

At Players Sports, netball is serious business. For 2026, we’re bringing together the largest netball shoe range in New Zealand, led by the long-standing on-court dominance of ASICS and the highly anticipated first-ever netball shoe release from adidas.

For Kiwi netballers, this is a genuine moment. ASICS have set the benchmark for decades across schools, clubs, and representative levels. Now adidas are stepping onto the court with a shoe built specifically for netball. Different design philosophies. Same goal. Better performance for players.

Whether you’re training twice a week, playing Saturday competition, or chasing consistency across a long season, we’ve got women’s, men’s, and kids’ netball shoes in sizes from US 3 and up, available in store and online with fast NZ-wide delivery.

Why Netball Shoes Matter (And Why Running Shoes Don’t Cut It)

Netball places unique stress on the body. Hard stops, sharp pivots, repeated jumps, and lateral movements demand footwear that’s built for side-to-side stability.

Netball shoes are designed to:

Support lateral movement and sudden direction changes
Reduce knee and ankle strain through firmer midsoles and stabilising systems
Provide consistent grip on indoor and outdoor courts
Stay durable through repeated high-impact landings

If you’re playing netball in running shoes, you’re missing that support where it matters most.

ASICS Netball Shoes for 2026: Proven, Trusted, Refined

ASICS continue to lead the way in netball footwear, and the 2026 lineup builds on what Kiwi players already trust.

ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ Shield 2

Built for stability and control, the GEL-NETBURNER™ Shield 2 is a go-to option for players who value confidence on every pivot and landing.

Why players choose it:

TRUSSTIC™ and DUOMAX™ support to control pronation and protect knees and ankles
GUIDANCE LINE™ technology for smoother changes of direction
Dual-density FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning with a balanced 7mm heel drop
Secure, breathable upper with reinforced side panels

This is a strong choice for defenders, midcourters, and players logging big minutes each week.

ASICS Netburner Ballistic FF 4

For players who rely on speed and agility, the Ballistic FF 4 is lighter and more responsive.

Key benefits:

SPEEDTRUSS™ for faster acceleration and sharper cuts
X-GUIDANCE™ for controlled multi-directional movement
FLYTEFOAM™ midsole with a 15mm heel drop for impact protection
PRECISION SOLE™ for grip, balance, and court feel

A popular option for attacking players who want quick feet without losing stability.

ASICS Netburner Professional FF 4

This model blends a running-shoe feel with netball-specific support.

Standout features:

Lightweight BIO-FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning for long matches
Internal midfoot panels for controlled pivots and stops
Flex grooves for smooth transitions
At least 30% recycled upper materials

Ideal for players wanting speed, comfort, and responsiveness across full games and tournaments.

ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ 21 (Wide)

A favourite for players who need extra room or wear ankle braces.

Why it works:

Wide fit without sacrificing control
Rearfoot GEL™ and FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning to soften landings
TPU TRUSSTIC™ for side-to-side stability
Durable AHARPLUS™ outsole for indoor courts

Reliable, supportive, and built to last through a full season.

ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ Academy 10

A strong option for school and club players looking for comfort, grip, and value.

Key highlights:

Breathable upper with secure lockdown
Rearfoot and forefoot GEL™ for shock absorption
FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning for responsive movement
Durable outsole designed for netball courts

adidas Enter Netball

For 2026, adidas haven’t just released a shoe. They’ve officially entered the netball performance category with a purpose-built collection engineered specifically for the demands of the game.

The new SS26 NETCOURT range marks adidas’ first true netball footwear lineup, featuring three models designed to cover every level of play:

NETCOURT ELITE – flagship performance model
NETCOURT PRO – competitive club option
NETCOURT JUNIOR – next generation development shoe

For a sport with more than 90% female participation in key markets like Australia and New Zealand, this launch signals a serious commitment to women in sport. adidas have identified netball as a high-performance code that deserves footwear designed specifically for its movement patterns, not adapted from another sport.

This is not a crossover basketball shoe. It is netball-specific from the ground up.

Engineered for the Demands of Netball

Netball requires:

Rapid pivots under load
Explosive accelerations
Hard landings and repeated jumps
Continuous lateral movement

The NETCOURT collection is built around three core performance pillars:

Stability for controlled direction changes
Cushioning for impact absorption and reduced fatigue
Multi-directional traction for confident grip on court

adidas have focused heavily on a female-specific fit, drawing on athlete insights to create a last that better reflects the anatomical needs of netballers. That detail matters. Proper fit drives stability, comfort, and confidence over four quarters.

NETCOURT ELITE – Flagship Performance

The NETCOURT ELITE sits at the top of the range and makes a clear performance statement.

Key performance features include:

Female-specific last for improved fit and stability
Inner sock construction for secure lockdown
Stabilising heel strap for rearfoot control
Engineered mesh upper for breathability
Cloudfoam+ midsole combined with a stability frame
Responsive Boost midsole for cushioning and energy return
Multi-traction outsole using durable Adiwear rubber

The combination of Boost and Cloudfoam+ delivers cushioning without sacrificing court feel. The stability frame and heel structure are designed to keep the foot centred during aggressive cuts and pivots.

For elite and high-level club players in New Zealand, this is adidas putting forward a genuine competitor to long-established netball models.

NETCOURT PRO – Club-Level Performance

The NETCOURT PRO offers a more accessible price point while retaining key performance features.

It incorporates:

Netball-specific upper design
Stable platform for lateral movement
Lightstrike 2.0 midsole for lightweight responsiveness
Durable outsole built for repeated court use

Lightstrike 2.0 provides a firmer, faster feel underfoot, suited to players who value quick acceleration and sharp changes of direction.

For club netballers playing weekly competition, this model balances performance and value effectively.

NETCOURT JUNIOR – Built for Development

The NETCOURT JUNIOR completes the range and focuses on:

Comfort for growing feet
Court-appropriate grip
Durable construction for school and weekend netball
Stable platform to support safe movement patterns

For young Kiwi players moving through school sport and junior grades, this provides a netball-specific alternative rather than adapting from general trainers.

What This Means for Kiwi Netballers

ASICS have long dominated the netball category in New Zealand, particularly across schools and representative pathways. adidas entering the space introduces genuine choice at a performance level.

From what we’re seeing in the NETCOURT range:

The fit is purpose-built for netballers
The cushioning systems are performance-focused
The traction patterns are engineered specifically for pivot-heavy court sport

It will be interesting to see how the New Zealand netball community responds. Early indicators suggest this is not a token entry. It’s a deliberate investment in the sport.

At Players Sports, we welcome competition when it pushes product innovation forward. More innovation means better footwear options for Kiwi players.

If you want to compare the new adidas NETCOURT models alongside the latest ASICS netball shoes, come into our Greenlane store to try them side by side, or explore the full netball shoe collection online with NZ-wide delivery.

Which Netball Shoe Should You Choose?

At Players Sports, we always recommend choosing based on how you play.

Need maximum stability and injury support:

Look at ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ Shield 2 or GEL-NETBURNER™ 21

Fast, agile, attacking style:

ASICS Netburner Ballistic FF 4 or adidas Netcourt Elite

Comfort for long matches and tournaments:

ASICS Netburner Professional FF 4

School and club netball:

ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ Academy 10

If you’re unsure, trying them on makes all the difference.

Try Netball Shoes In Store or Shop Online NZ-Wide

You can try the full 2026 netball shoe range at our Players Sports Greenlane store in Auckland, or shop online with fast delivery across New Zealand and easy returns.

We stock netball shoes for:

Women, men, and kids
School sport, club competition, and high-level training
Indoor and outdoor courts

You’ll also find our full netball footwear collection and related training gear available online for easy browsing.

Final Word

Netball footwear in New Zealand is entering an exciting new chapter. ASICS continue to set the standard with refined, trusted designs, while adidas are making their first move into the game with a bold, performance-focused option.

If you’re upgrading for the 2026 season, we’re here to help you find the right fit for your foot and your game. Come in store to try them on, or explore the full netball shoe range online at Players Sports with fast NZ-wide delivery.

Shop our current netball shoe range here

Frequently Asked Questions - 2026 Netball Shoes

What are the best netball shoes in New Zealand for 2026?

The best netball shoes in New Zealand for 2026 include the ASICS Netburner range and the adidas NETCOURT collection. ASICS are widely trusted for stability and structured support, while adidas NETCOURT models introduce female-specific fit, Boost cushioning, and advanced multi-directional traction. The best option depends on your foot type, position, and level of competition.

Are adidas netball shoes available in NZ?

Yes. The adidas NETCOURT ELITE, NETCOURT PRO, and NETCOURT JUNIOR are available in New Zealand at Players Sports, both in-store at our Greenlane Auckland location and online with fast NZ-wide delivery.

Are ASICS still the most popular netball shoes in New Zealand?

ASICS have long been the most established netball shoe brand in New Zealand due to their reputation for durability, support, and injury protection. However, adidas entering the category in 2026 gives Kiwi netballers a new high-performance alternative.

What makes netball shoes different from running shoes?

Netball shoes are designed for lateral movement, sudden stops, and rapid pivots. They feature firmer midsoles, reinforced side support, and specialised traction patterns. Running shoes are built primarily for forward motion and do not provide the same level of side-to-side stability required for netball.

Which netball shoes are best for knee and ankle support?

Netball shoes with structured stability systems and impact cushioning are best for knee and ankle support. ASICS models featuring TRUSSTIC™, DUOMAX™, and GEL™ technology help control pronation and absorb shock. The adidas NETCOURT ELITE includes a stability frame and heel support designed to keep the foot centred during pivots and landings.

Can I wear netball shoes on both indoor and outdoor courts?

Yes. Most modern netball shoes, including the 2026 ASICS and adidas models, use durable non-marking rubber outsoles suitable for both indoor and outdoor courts. Outdoor asphalt courts may increase outsole wear over time, so regular players should consider durability when choosing a model.

Do you stock wide-fit netball shoes in NZ?

Yes. Players Sports stocks wide-fit options such as the ASICS GEL-NETBURNER™ 21 (Wide), designed for players who need extra room or wear ankle braces.

Do you stock kids netball shoes in New Zealand?

Yes. We stock junior netball shoes including the adidas NETCOURT JUNIOR and selected ASICS junior models. Sizes start from US 3, making them suitable for school and club netball across NZ.

Where can I try netball shoes on in Auckland?

You can try the full 2026 netball shoe range at Players Sports Greenlane in Auckland. Our team can help assess fit, width, and playing style to recommend the right option for your game.

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Written by Mike Wood
Founder & Managing Director, Players Sports
21+ years across retail and wholesale sporting goods in New Zealand

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