The Silver Ferns are set to face the New Zealand Invitation Men's Netball team in a World Cup preparation match.

The historic game will be part of the upcoming International Netball Series, with the Silver Ferns also set to face the Fiji Pearls and an All Stars side at Pulman Arena in June.

New Zealand Netball CEO Jennie Wyllie told Mike Hosking they want to take it to the next level and see the event as a great opportunity ahead of the World Cup.

"The men's side has a fantastic style of play, they are hard and fast onto the ball which is exactly what we want.

"This will be an amazing match for the public to watch live. It's certainly not a gimmick, it's a really serious match and will be a world first of seeing woman and men going for it against each other "

In addition to the June International Series, the Silver Ferns will be back in action in October when they contest the Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds.

Two tests will be played in Australia while Christchurch's Horncastle Arena and Auckland's Spark Arena will host the matches on this side of the Tasman.