Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars
A memorable KFC BBL|14 home and away season has proven a huge hit with fans, driving record audiences, attendances and digital engagement.
The second year of the League’s revised 40-game structure delivered an incredible crescendo, with every team eligible to play Finals going into their last game.
A season highlighted by close finishes, brilliant individual performances and packed stadiums has laid the platform for a highly anticipated Finals series, with two clubs – Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars – in the hunt for their first Big Bash title.
Tonight’s first match of the Finals – ‘The Qualifier’ between the Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers – is a sell out. The match is set to be the League’s largest ever Finals crowd in Hobart, and the club’s highest home attendance since BBL|06. Tickets are also selling fast to Wednesday night’s ‘The Knockout’ between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at ENGIE Stadium.
Viewership
BBL|14 was watched by an average audience of 742,000 viewers per game through the first 32 matches of the home-and-away season, an increase of more than 20% on BBL|13.
Simulcast matches (broadcast on Seven, Foxtel, 7plus and Kayo Sports) drew average audiences of 893,000 per game in that period.
Seven audiences have grown 20% year-on-year across metro and regional free to air TV and on 7plus. It is their highest audience through 32 games of a BBL season in five years.
For Foxtel Group, BBL|14 is tracking to be its most-watched season in history.
The highest-rating match of the home-and-away season was Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars on Boxing Day, with an audience of 1.24 million the highest of the current broadcast era with Seven and Foxtel (since BBL|08).
*Some data for Matches 33-40 of the home-and-away season is not yet available. Cricket Australia will publish an update soon.
Attendance
Average home-and-away attendances grew 11% per game in BBL|14 to 22,433, the highest figure since BBL|07.
Through 40 games, the season drew 897,334 fans through the gates, an additional 90,074 attendees year-on-year.
Perth Scorchers home games were attended by 192,534 fans at Optus Stadium, with average crowds of 38,507 the highest in the League and a club record. The Scorchers also welcomed a club record home-and-away crowd of 46,471 on January 3.
A further five clubs drew their highest average attendance since BBL|07: Adelaide Strikers (28,593), Brisbane Heat (26,581), Melbourne Renegades (21,528), Melbourne Stars (24,401) and Sydney Sixers (21,675).
Digital engagement
Social media reach has risen by over 85% in BBL|14 along with a 91% increase in engagement and over 500,000 new followers since the start of the tournament.
The Big Bash app has brought fans closer to the action than ever before with an immersive digital experience to follow matches, watch highlights and behind the scenes content. The app has consistently been the #1 sports app in Australia in both the Apple and Google play store charts.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“KFC BBL|14 has delivered on every front, with thrilling nightly contests being played in front of growing audiences at stadiums and via broadcast.
“The edge-of-your-seat action was mirrored by the competition table, with every team eligible to play finals heading into the last weekend of the home and away season.
“We are delighted with the quality of cricket produced by so many outstanding players, which has resonated with fans who have watched and attended in record numbers around the country.
“We thank our clubs, players, broadcasters, partners and venues for their support in putting on an outstanding edition of the BBL.”
“We look forward to a huge Finals week and crowning our BBL|14 champions in front of another huge audience next Monday.’
KFC BBL|14 Finals
Four matches remain to crown the KFC BBL|14 champion, with all to be held in Hobart or Sydney.
All matches are available on Seven, Foxtel, 7plus and Kayo Sports, with radio coverage on ABC Sport and SEN.
Tickets are available at www.bigbash.com.au to The Knockout on Wednesday, January 22. Tonight’s The Qualifier is sold out.
Tickets to The Challenger and The Final will go on sale tomorrow at 10:00am AEDT for club members and 12:00pm AEDT to the public.
The Qualifier: Hobart Hurricanes (1) v Sydney Sixers (2), Tuesday, January 21, 7:30pm AEDT, Ninja Stadium.
The Knockout: Sydney Thunder (3) v TBC (4), Wednesday, January 22, 7:30pm AEDT, ENGIE Stadium.
The Challenger: Loser of The Qualifier v winner of The Knockout, Friday, January 24, 7:15pm AEDT, venue TBC.
The Final: Winner of The Qualifier v winner of The Challenger, Monday, January 27, 7:15pm AEDT, venue TBC.
Note: A reserve day of Tuesday, January 28, 7:15pm AEDT is available for The Final.
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Name of Author: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.