The Australian summer’s biggest and most popular party is back, with the KFC BBL|16 schedule unveiled today.
Following a season of huge viewership and attendance growth, the Big Bash League will continue to deliver blockbuster matches every night of summer.
The League’s action-packed schedule includes:
- Historic season opener when the Renegades host the Scorchers in Chennai, India
- The return of a Christmas Eve match at Junction Oval
- An uninterrupted schedule of Big Bash every night, including six huge TV double headers
- Fan-favourite fixtures and marquee matches in every club’s home market
- Full season including Finals completed within school holidays
- The Final played on the Australia Day public holiday
Download the full KFC BBL|16 Schedule here
The season will roar to life on Saturday, December 12 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai when the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers launch BBL|16 in unforgettable fashion.
Opening night in Australia will follow three days later with a mouth-watering clash between the Heat and Sixers at the Gabba on December 15, starting an uninterrupted schedule of Big Bash until January 17, with the exception of Christmas Day. Big Bash cricket every night, including six huge double headers, will give fans the best opportunity to watch and attend over the holiday period.
A Sydney Smash at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, December 19 headlines a huge pre-Christmas period which sees the return of Christmas Eve cricket when the Renegades host the Hurricanes under lights at Junction Oval.
Sydney and Perth will again become the focal point for the Boxing Day BBL double header, with the Sixers and Heat facing off at the SCG before the Scorchers and Stars go head-to-head at Optus Stadium.
The Adelaide Strikers will welcome the Stars for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration, before 2027 starts in style with a New Year’s Day double header – first, the Renegades welcome the Sixers to the MCG, before the Heat take on the Hurricanes in Brisbane.
The Stars and Renegades will also face off in their hotly anticipated Derbies in the New Year, with a 6:05pm start time again locked in for an MCG blockbuster on Monday, January 4.
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A sizzling final week of regular season matches will feature games in every market that could have major implications ahead of the Finals.
The KFC BBL|16 Finals series will feature four matches from Tuesday, January 19, culminating in the Final on Tuesday, January 26. Venues will be determined by regular season finishing positions and finals series results.
Thirty regular season matches and every final will be shown live and free on Seven and 7plus.
Every BBL|16 match will be aired on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, including 10 matches exclusive to Fox Cricket.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The KFC BBL|16 season is shaping up to have everything we love about the Big Bash – great players, full stadiums of fans and the best nights of entertainment anywhere this summer.
“With uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love, this schedule ensures the BBL remains the heartbeat of summer.
“We’re hugely excited by the opportunity to open the season in Chennai and can’t wait to see the return of Christmas Eve cricket under lights at Junction Oval.
“The Big Bash was built on the spirit of innovation and evolution, and our new Designated Batter and Fielder rule will come into effect this season, giving teams more strategic options and creating new dynamics for fans to enjoy.
“The success of the competition is not possible without the support of our Clubs and players, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, broadcasters Seven Network, Fox Sports, ABC and SEN, League partners KFC, Westpac, Toyota and BKT, venues and state and territory governments. We thank them all for their support of the BBL.”
The Seven Network’s Head of Cricket, Joel Starcevic, said:
“Seven is once again thrilled to be the home of the Big Bash League, with its unique blend of superstar players, fierce rivalries and blockbuster family entertainment, fans can catch BBL|16 live and free on Seven and 7plus this summer.
“The Big Bash has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons with TV ratings and attendances and we’re looking forward to another season of records, thanks to some marquee match-ups and prime time fixtures.
“Commencing with a huge season opener in Chennai, India – we’re incredibly excited to broadcast the first ever BBL match played outside of Australia in what will be a historic moment for the competition.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Big Bash, delivering the biggest matches with our expert commentary team, including the new-look season opener, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.”
Joe Bromham, Executive Producer – Fox Sports, said:
“The appetite for cricket continues to grow, and with another packed summer featuring more cricket across more formats than ever before, the BBL remains one of the highlights of the season.
“The only place to watch every ball, live and ad-break free during play is Fox Cricket, available on Kayo SPORTS. Our Fox Cricket coverage will once again bring the energy and entertainment fans love, with world-class commentary and unrivalled coverage across the entire summer.
“We know fans don’t just follow one team or one competition anymore. They want to watch it all, and that’s exactly what we’ll be delivering across another huge summer of cricket.”
