Big Bash League 2026-27: BBL & WBBL Schedule, Teams, Dates & All You Need To Know
Two leagues, one brand and an Australian summer built around them. The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) gets the 2026-27 season underway on 29 October, with the men's BBL|16 starting in mid-December and finishing on or around 31 January 2027. The Perth Scorchers are the defending men's champions for the record sixth time, while the Hobart Hurricanes have lifted the inaugural WBBL title last season.
If you've only ever been able to follow the BBL as an Ashes curtain-raiser, this is the year to get more invested. Both leagues fall in a concentrated window, and for Indian fans the timing is unusually good – Australian evenings mean IST afternoons, which is ideal viewing time. In fact, this is the best time to watch the BBL if you're not in Australia, with the evening matches starting early-to-mid afternoon local time.
Big Bash 2026-27: Schedule, Teams, Dates & All You Need To Know
| Detail | Men's BBL|16 | Women's WBBL|12 |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Mid-December 2026 – 31 January 2027 | 29 October – 5 December 2026 |
| Teams | 8 | 8 |
| Matches | League + finals series | 43 matches in 38 days |
| Defending champions | Perth Scorchers (6th title) | Hobart Hurricanes (1st title) |
| Season opener | TBC with full fixture release | Double-header at Junction Oval, Melbourne |
| Format | T20, round-robin + finals | T20, round-robin + Knockout, Challenger, Final |
WBBL 2026-27: Women's Big Bash To Kick Off The Summer
The women's league will see action first, with the full schedule now out for 43 matches in 38 days, from 29 October to 5 December 2026. The opening day is a double-header in Junction Oval, Melbourne, with the Melbourne Renegades taking on the Sydney Thunder, followed by the Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes clash.
The Hurricanes are the defending WBBL champions, having finally ended their eleven-year title drought last season. They will kick off the WBBL|12 campaign as the hunted as the reigning champions. The final retains the same three-match Qualifier, Knockout and Challenger format, with the top-placed team from the league stage getting the double chance to defend their title.
BBL 2026-27 (BBL|16): Cricket Australia's Big Bash To Follow In Mid-December
Cricket Australia's Big Bash League tends to begin in mid-December and finish in late January, and BBL|16 is likely to follow the same pattern – with the final on or around 31 January 2027. The full schedule will be out with the venues and timings when the fixtures are officially released, and this page will carry the matches as they happen.
The Perth Scorchers are the defending champions, after they beat the Sydney Sixers by six wickets in the BBL|15 final on 25 January 2026. The Scorchers have won a record sixth BBL title, and no other team in the world has more than four. The Sixers and the Scorchers have dominated the BBL|15 in recent years, with the other teams chasing their first ever BBL title in December.
Big Bash Teams: All 8 Franchises (Both Leagues)
Same eight clubs will feature in the men's and women's leagues:
| Team | City | Home Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Adelaide | Adelaide Oval |
| Brisbane Heat | Brisbane | The Gabba |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Hobart | Bellerive Oval |
| Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne | Marvel Stadium |
| Melbourne Stars | Melbourne | MCG |
| Perth Scorchers | Perth | Optus Stadium |
| Sydney Sixers | Sydney | SCG |
| Sydney Thunder | Sydney | Sydney Showground |
Squad announcements will be made in the coming months as overseas players join the local recruits, with the Women's Big Bash League and the men's BBL|16 fixtures also out in the Australian winter. Players to look out for include the internationals available for the Tests, which will be a big concern for both leagues in scheduling their matches.
Big Bash League Standings & Points Table
The points table will be updated as the action gets underway, with the men's and women's leagues both awarding points for wins and separating teams by net run rate. The top teams will qualify for the finals series, with the finals tied and knockout matches to follow. Bookmark this page to keep track of the BBL standings from December and WBBL standings from 29 October.
How to Watch Big Bash 2026-27: TV, Live Streaming & BBL Live Score
The Big Bash League has traditionally been split between Fox Cricket and the Seven Network in Australia, with the matches also available to stream on Kayo Sports. In India, the Star/JioStar networks have been showing the BBL in recent years. As with all the leagues on this site, it's a good idea to check which TV channels or streaming services have the rights to the BBL matches in your territory in 2026-27, rather than assuming they will be the same as last year. The timing is the best part for Indian fans, as the evening matches in Australia will start early-to-mid afternoon in IST. This makes it possible to watch the entire match, and still have some time for dinner in the evening.
Big Bash: Recent Winners & All-Time Winners
| Season | BBL (Men) | WBBL (Women) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Perth Scorchers | Hobart Hurricanes |
| All-time most titles | Perth Scorchers (6) | Sydney Sixers & Adelaide Strikers (multiple) |