Cricket Australia has officially released the complete schedule for the 16th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), with the tournament set to run from December 12, 2026, to January 26, 2027. The upcoming season promises several firsts and fan-favourite traditions, including the league’s first-ever match in India, the return of Christmas Eve cricket, more fixtures in Canberra, and a grand final scheduled on Australia Day. Featuring 44 matches across the league stage and finals, BBL|16 is expected to deliver another action-packed Australian summer.

BBL|16 season highlights and key dates

The 2026-27 season will begin with a historic clash between Melbourne Renegades and defending champions Perth Scorchers at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on December 12, making it the first-ever Big Bash League match to be staged outside Australia. The domestic leg of the tournament will officially commence three days later when Brisbane Heat host Sydney Sixers at the Gabba.

Fans will be treated to uninterrupted cricket throughout the festive period, with matches scheduled every evening except Christmas Day. The return of the Christmas Eve fixture sees Melbourne Renegades hosting Hobart Hurricanes under lights at Junction Oval for the first time in four years. Traditional marquee fixtures on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day also remain part of the calendar, while the regular season concludes with a weekend featuring double-headers on January 16 and 17.

New venues, Melbourne expansion and Canberra boost

BBL|16 introduces several venue changes designed to improve scheduling and fan engagement. Melbourne Renegades will begin a new chapter after ending their long association with Marvel Stadium, splitting home matches between the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Junction Oval. As a result, Melbourne will host nine regular-season matches, up from seven last summer, including both Melbourne Derby clashes at the MCG.

Canberra will enjoy its busiest Big Bash season outside the COVID-19 bubble years, with Manuka Oval staging three fixtures. Sydney Thunder will host Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars there, while Sydney Sixers will also play a home game against Adelaide Strikers at the venue when the SCG is unavailable because of the Australia-New Zealand Test match.

Several scheduling improvements have also been introduced, including fewer interstate travel demands, no team playing three matches in five days, and an additional break between the Challenger and Final to reduce travel fatigue during the knockout phase.

Teams, venues and blockbuster rivalries

All eight franchises—Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder—will once again battle across Australia’s leading cricket venues, including the MCG, SCG, Gabba, Adelaide Oval, Perth Stadium, Bellerive Oval, Junction Oval and Manuka Oval.

The schedule retains several of the tournament’s biggest rivalries, including the Sydney Smash between the Sixers and Thunder, the Melbourne Derby between the Stars and Renegades, as well as festive double-headers on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Adelaide Strikers will also continue their annual New Year’s Eve tradition at Adelaide Oval.

Structure for the playoffs and finals

The finals structure remains unchanged, with the top four teams at the end of the league stage progressing to the knockout rounds.

• Qualifier: 1st vs 2nd (Winner advances directly to the Final)
• Knockout: 3rd vs 4th (Loser eliminated)
• Challenger: Loser of Qualifier vs Winner of Knockout
• Final: January 26, 2027 (Reserve day available)

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BBL|16 fixtures & match time (AEDT)

*TBA – To be announced

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