Big Bash League brings back Christmas Eve cricket while the final will be played on Australia Day for the first time in two years
The Big Bash League (BBL) 2026-27 schedule has been officially revealed, featuring a return of a Christmas Eve clash and an Australia Day final. The BBL will not feature any action on Christmas Day, but cricket action will return on the festive season on December 24 as fans get to watch the action.
The tournament will kick off with a historic match in Chennai, India on 12th December, 2026 and end with the BBL final on 26th January, 2027.
Christmas Eve Match Returns to the BBL
A major feature of the new programme is the return of a match on Christmas Eve after a few years.
Melbourne Renegades will play the Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval on December 24. The site recently got upgraded floodlights to provide a prime-time evening fixture for the first time.
Cricket Australia hopes the festive clash will give fans a special holiday sporting experience, and also help to keep Christmas Day free for players and families.
Full schedule for BBL 2026-27
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 12 Dec | Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Tue 15 Dec | Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers | The Gabba |
| Wed 16 Dec | Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers | Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka |
| Thu 17 Dec | Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat | Ninja Stadium |
| Fri 18 Dec | Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers | MCG |
| Sat 19 Dec | Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers | ENGIE Stadium |
| Sun 20 Dec | Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes | Optus Stadium |
| Mon 21 Dec | Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat | Junction Oval |
| Tue 22 Dec | Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades | SCG |
| Wed 23 Dec | Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder | Adelaide Oval |
| Thu 24 Dec | Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes | Junction Oval |
| Sat 26 Dec | Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat | SCG |
| Sat 26 Dec | Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars | Optus Stadium |
| Sun 27 Dec | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades | ENGIE Stadium |
| Mon 28 Dec | Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers | The Gabba |
| Tue 29 Dec | Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars | Ninja Stadium |
| Wed 30 Dec | Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder | Optus Stadium |
| Thu 31 Dec | Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars | Adelaide Oval |
| Fri 1 Jan | Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers | MCG |
| Fri 1 Jan | Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes | The Gabba |
| Sat 2 Jan | Sydney Thunder vs Perth Scorchers | ENGIE Stadium |
| Sun 3 Jan | Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers | Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka |
| Mon 4 Jan | Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades | MCG |
| Mon 4 Jan | Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat | Optus Stadium |
| Tue 5 Jan | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder | Ninja Stadium |
| Wed 6 Jan | Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades | Adelaide Oval |
| Thu 7 Jan | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers | MCG |
| Fri 8 Jan | Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers | The Gabba |
| Sat 9 Jan | Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers | University of Tasmania Stadium |
| Sun 10 Jan | Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers | SCG |
| Sun 10 Jan | Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat | Junction Oval |
| Mon 11 Jan | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars | Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka |
| Tue 12 Jan | Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes | Adelaide Oval |
| Wed 13 Jan | Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades | Optus Stadium |
| Thu 14 Jan | Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes | MCG |
| Fri 15 Jan | Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder | SCG |
| Sat 16 Jan | Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers | Adelaide Oval |
| Sat 16 Jan | Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars | MCG |
| Sun 17 Jan | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers | Ninja Stadium |
| Sun 17 Jan | Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder | The Gabba |
Australia Day Final Makes a Comeback
Following a two-year hiatus, the BBL 2026-27 final has been set for January 26 (Australia Day).
Cricket Australia said the decision was made to ensure that there was no clash with Australia’s international schedule, which includes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ends one day before the final.
They also announced that they will keep meeting with their Indigenous advisory group about the presentation and celebrations for Australia Day.
Historic Season Opener in Chennai
This is the first time in BBL history that the tournament will start outside Australia.
The Perth Scorchers will play the Melbourne Renegades in Chennai, India on December 12, bringing the league to one of the biggest cricket crowds in the world.
Both sides will get a long break after the opener as there will be enough travel and recovery time after returning from India.
Melbourne Renegades Begin a New Home Era
The Melbourne Renegades are also making a major switch in 2026-27, as they leave their home at Marvel Stadium after 15 years.
Rather, the Renegades will play their home games at various locations:
- Two games have been played at Junction Oval.
- Two games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- One away Melbourne derby against the Melbourne Stars.
The Melbourne Stars will also play a game at Junction Oval as the MCG gets ready for the traditional Boxing Day Test.
Junction Oval will be temporarily expanded to accommodate around 6,000 spectators.
Melbourne Derbies Return to the MCG
The Renegades and Stars will once again compete against each other at the MCG for both of their Melbourne derbies.
The game will be moved to an earlier start time of 6:05 PM, with the move coming after the derby last season saw over 68,000 fans attend, one of the biggest attendances in the league.
Christmas Day Still Remains Free
Cricket Australia has considered a Christmas Day BBL match in the past but has not yet set a date for the match on December 25.
League officials said they are still in talks with clubs and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, and the welfare of players is the primary concern before Christmas Day cricket kicks off.
Christmas Eve is considered to be the perfect festive event for now.
Multiple Regional Venues Included
The new schedule will also include games at various regional locations.
Sydney Thunder will host two home games in Canberra, and the Sydney Sixers will also travel to the city for a home game.
The Hobart Hurricanes will play four home games in Hobart after redeveloping the venue and then return to Launceston for one home game.
Busy Holiday Schedule
There are a number of double-headers to be enjoyed over the holiday period.
The schedule includes:
- Double headers on Boxing Day
- Double-headers on New Year’s Day
- Double-header weekends on January 16 and 17
The finals series starts on January 19, though Australia’s Test players are likely to be absent from most of the tournament as they are on international duty against New Zealand and India.
Looking Ahead
The BBL 2026-27 season will be one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the league with a historic overseas opener in Chennai, the return of Christmas Eve cricket, an Australia Day final and new venues throughout Australi
With the competition continuing to grow, Cricket Australia is looking forward to the new schedule bringing in larger audiences, more interaction with fans and a great festive season.
