Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The KFC Big Bash League has demonstrated its commitment to taking Australia’s most-watched sporting competition to fans around the country with the first announcement of its revised schedule today.
The match-ups, start times and broadcasters for all KFC BBL|10 regular season games have been confirmed, with venues in Tasmania, ACT, Queensland and South Australia locked in for the 21 matches to be played in December.
Venues for matches scheduled in the New Year will be announced in the coming weeks. The League hopes the easing of border restrictions around the country will allow matches to be played in every state throughout the tournament. The health and safety of players, staff and fans will always remain the number one priority.
Download the KFC BBL|10 schedule here
KFC BBL|10 launches on Thursday, December 10 with the opening stretch of matches to be played in Tasmania and Canberra. Blundstone Arena will host the season opener between the Hobart Hurricanes and defending champions Sydney Sixers, while matches will also be played at University of Tasmania Stadium and Manuka Oval in this period.
From Wednesday, December 23, matches will also be held in Queensland at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium. The first KFC BBL|10 match in South Australia will be at Adelaide Oval on Monday, December 28.
All matches will be broadcast live on Foxtel, with the Seven Network airing 17 matches of the 21 matches in December live.
Information regarding tickets will be released in due course.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“This is without doubt the most complex fixturing task ever undertaken by the League and we are excited with where it has landed. It has been a difficult year for so many people around Australia and we look forward to bringing the BBL to every state should border conditions allow us to.
Photo credit: Linkedin photo of Alistair Dobson
“We’re also pleased to provide certainty to our Clubs, players, broadcasters, commercial partners and governments today with confirmation of match-ups, dates and start times for the entire KFC BBL|10 campaign, and venues for matches through to the end of 2020.
“We are working through scenarios for the remaining 35 regular season matches and Finals series to be played in the New Year with our Clubs, broadcasters, partners and governments. An announcement on these venues will be made in the coming weeks.
“The KFC BBL is by far and away the most watched sporting league in the country on a per-match basis and we look forward to that continuing as we celebrate ten years of the Big Bash.
“The League would like to thank the Australian, Tasmanian, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and South Australia governments for their support of the KFC BBL|10 season. We also thank the New South Wales, Victorian and Western Australian governments for their ongoing support as we confirm plans to take matches to more markets in January.
“We also wish to thank our State and Territory Associations and Clubs, broadcast partners Seven, Foxtel and SEN, commercial partners including KFC, BKT, Toyota, and Sanitarium and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their support throughout this process.”
The Honourable Peter Gutwein MP, Premier of Tasmania, said:
“This a massive coup for Tasmania and the local economy, with the State to host the opening stretch of Big Bash matches.
It is an amazing opportunity for all Tasmanians to experience some world-class matches boasting some of the world’s best talent, competing on the national stage this summer.”
The Honourable Yvette Berry MLA, ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sport and Recreation, said:
“It is great to be announcing the dates for Canberrans to head out to Manuka Oval and cheer on their teams in the Big Bash League.
“This has been a different year for all of us, and particularly disruptive and challenging for the sports and their fans.
“This is a great opportunity for young aspiring cricketers to watch elite level sport. It’s so important for young people to have access to these kinds of events because you can’t be what you can’t see.
“Cricket Australia and Cricket ACT have worked well, together with the ACT Government, to bring this exciting event to Canberra, making sure that it goes ahead in a COVID-Safe manner.”
Kristi Woolrych, KFC Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer KFC Australia, said:
“While many are hoping that 2020 ends in a hurry, at least it will end with a bang! The KFC BBL and summer go hand-in-hand so it’s great that fans across the country can enjoy a full schedule as planned.
“KFC BBL|10 might look and feel a little different but that won’t stop the excitement of the game or KFC Bucketheads having some fun.”
