Big Bash League 2026-27: Schedule, Teams, Squads and Latest News
The Big Bash League 2026-27 (BBL|16) begins on 12 December 2026, with Melbourne Renegades facing defending champions Perth Scorchers in Chennai, India. The 16th men’s Big Bash season features eight teams, 40 league matches and four finals, concluding on 26 January 2027.
The latest BBL|16 squad update includes Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman signing with Melbourne Renegades and Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf joining Adelaide Strikers. Across eight clubs, 121 players have confirmed primary-squad contracts, leaving 23 roster positions available as of 4 November 2026.
Mustafizur Rahman Signs with Melbourne Renegades for BBL 2026-27
Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has officially signed with Melbourne…Aneurin Donald Set to Join Perth Scorchers as Final Overseas Signing for BBL 2026-27
Perth Scorchers have signed England wicketkeeper-batter Aneurin Donald for BBL|16…Eight New Zealand Players Sign for BBL 2026-27: Full List and Teams
Eight New Zealand cricketers have signed for the Big Bash…ACA Warns Player Involvement Is Not Guaranteed in a Privatised BBL
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh has warned that…
What is the next BBL 2026-27 match?
The next men’s BBL match is Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers on Saturday, 12 December 2026, at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match starts at 2:40 PM Indian time, with Melbourne Renegades designated as the home team.
Perth begin their defence of the BBL title, while the Renegades prepare for their first match under head coach Luke Ronchi. Newly signed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will miss the opener because of his ILT20 commitments with Dubai Capitals.
The first match played in Australia follows on Tuesday, 15 December, when Brisbane Heat host Sydney Sixers at the Gabba at 6:15 PM AEST.
| Match detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers |
| Date | Saturday, 12 December 2026 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India |
| Match number | BBL|16 Match 1 |
| Significance | First Big Bash League match staged outside Australia |
What time does the BBL Chennai match start?
| Time zone | Start time on 12 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| AEDT | 8:10 pm |
| ACDT | 7:40 pm |
| AWST | 5:10 pm |
| IST | 2:40 pm |
| PKT | 2:10 pm |
| GMT | 9:10 am |
The first BBL|16 match in Australia is Brisbane Heat versus Sydney Sixers at the Gabba on Tuesday, 15 December. It starts at 6:15 pm AEST in Brisbane, which is 7:15 pm AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne.
What are the main BBL 2026-27 schedule dates?
The BBL 2026-27 schedule runs for 46 days and includes six double-headers. The full fixture has 40 regular-season games followed by the Qualifier, Knockout, Challenger and Final. These are the dates most fans will want to mark first.
| Date | BBL|16 fixture or stage |
|---|---|
| 12 December 2026 | Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers in Chennai; season opener |
| 15 December 2026 | Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers at the Gabba; first match in Australia |
| 19 December 2026 | Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers at ENGIE Stadium; first Sydney Smash |
| 24 December 2026 | Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval; first Christmas Eve BBL match in four years |
| 26 December 2026 | Sixers vs Heat at the SCG, then Scorchers vs Stars at Optus Stadium; Boxing Day double-header |
| 31 December 2026 | Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval; New Year’s Eve match |
| 1 January 2027 | Renegades vs Sixers at the MCG, then Heat vs Hurricanes at the Gabba; New Year’s Day double-header |
| 4 January 2027 | Stars vs Renegades at the MCG and Scorchers vs Heat at Optus Stadium |
| 10 January 2027 | Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers at the SCG; BBL|15 finalists meet again |
| 15 January 2027 | Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder at the SCG; second Sydney Smash |
| 16 January 2027 | Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars at the MCG; second Melbourne derby |
| 17 January 2027 | Final two regular-season matches |
| 19 January 2027 | The Qualifier |
| 20 January 2027 | The Knockout |
| 23 January 2027 | The Challenger |
| 26 January 2027 | The BBL|16 Final |
See all 44 fixtures, team filters, venue filters and converted start times on the complete Big Bash League 2026-27 schedule. The match list is based on Cricket Australia’s official BBL|16 fixture.
BBL|16 at a glance
| Tournament detail | BBL 2026-27 information |
|---|---|
| Official season | Big Bash League 2026-27 |
| Edition | BBL|16, the 16th men’s season |
| Dates | 12 December 2026 to 26 January 2027 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Total matches | 44 |
| Regular-season matches | 40 |
| Matches per team | 10 |
| Regular season ends | 17 January 2027 |
| Finals | 4 matches from 19 to 26 January |
| Regular-season grounds | 11 across Australia and India |
| Defending champions | Perth Scorchers, six-time men’s champions |
| Organiser | Cricket Australia |
Latest BBL 2026-27 news and player signings
Melbourne Renegades have completed their overseas recruitment by signing Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for BBL|16. His arrival follows Haris Rauf’s move from Melbourne Stars to Adelaide Strikers and Aneurin Donald’s signing with Perth Scorchers.
Latest Big Bash League updates
| Date | Confirmed update | What it means for BBL16 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Nov 2026 | Mustafizur Rahman joins Melbourne Renegades | Bangladesh left-arm fast bowler takes Melbourne’s third overseas spot. He will miss the Chennai opener. |
| 1 Nov 2026 | Haris Rauf signs with Adelaide Strikers | Pakistan pacer joins Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman for the full season, including finals. |
| 28 Oct 2026 | Big Bash private investment discussions continue | Melbourne Renegades’ ownership-sale process remains underway, with the club’s BBL16 season unaffected. |
| 23 Oct 2026 | Aneurin Donald joins Perth Scorchers | England wicketkeeper-batter completes Perth’s three overseas signings and is available through the finals. |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Will Salzmann returns to Sydney Thunder | Australian pace-bowling allrounder signs a one-year deal, increasing Thunder’s domestic depth. |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Jason Behrendorff ruled out of BBL16 | Melbourne Renegades’ contracted left-arm fast bowler will miss the season following shoulder surgery. |
What Mustafizur and Haris Rauf bring to BBL16
Mustafizur Rahman will make his first Big Bash appearance for Melbourne Renegades. His left-arm pace, slower-ball variations and death-over experience strengthen an attack missing the injured Jason Behrendorff.
He joins Jonny Bairstow and Michael Bracewell as Melbourne’s three overseas players. Mustafizur is unavailable for the opening game in Chennai and will join the squad after his Dubai Capitals commitments in the ILT20. His first BBL appearance has not yet been confirmed.
Haris Rauf joins Adelaide Strikers after five seasons with Melbourne Stars. Adelaide have secured Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman for the entire BBL|16 campaign, giving Tim Paine continuity across all three overseas positions.
Other notable overseas additions include Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson at Sydney Thunder, Jafer Chohan at Sydney Sixers and Rishad Hossain at Hobart Hurricanes.
Squad status, November 2026: 121 confirmed primary players, 23 available roster places and 22 overseas contracts.
See all BBL 2026-27 signings, transfers and retirements for contract details and individual player movements.
Recent BBL|16 signings at a glance
| Player | Team | Confirmed contract |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafizur Rahman | Melbourne Renegades | BBL16; joins after ILT20 commitments |
| Haris Rauf | Adelaide Strikers | Full season, including finals |
| Aneurin Donald | Perth Scorchers | One year, including finals |
| Will Salzmann | Sydney Thunder | One year |
| Jafer Chohan | Sydney Sixers | One year, overseas |
| Jimmy Peirson | Brisbane Heat | Re-signed for BBL16 |
| Trent Boult | Sydney Thunder | Full season, including finals |
| Rishad Hossain | Hobart Hurricanes | First eight matches |
Squad Update: 121 confirmed primary-squad players, 23 vacancies and 22 overseas contracts. Six BBL clubs have filled all three overseas positions.
Follow the latest BBL 2026-27 player signings and transfers.
Teams may use a designated batter and fielder
The designated player rule is optional and applies only to the men’s BBL. A team may name a designated batter before the bat flip. That player can bat but cannot field or bowl. The paired designated fielder can field or keep wicket but cannot bat or bowl. A team that does not use the option names a traditional playing XI.
Slow over-rates bring back full Powerplay restrictions
A BBL innings has an 84-minute countdown. If the bowling side has not completed 20 overs when the timer expires, full Powerplay fielding restrictions apply from the next ball for the rest of the innings. Only two fielders may then remain outside the restriction circle.
Which teams are playing in BBL|16?
Eight teams will compete in BBL|16, with each club scheduled to play ten regular-season matches. Five fixtures are designated as home games for each team.
Perth Scorchers are the defending champions, while Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades have recently completed their overseas recruitment through the signings of Haris Rauf and Mustafizur Rahman.
| BBL team | Home venues | Key BBL16 squad update |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Adelaide Oval | Haris Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman confirmed |
| Brisbane Heat | The Gabba | Tom Curran and Tim Robinson signed; Jimmy Peirson retained |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Ninja Stadium, UTAS Stadium | Adam Zampa joins, Rishad Hossain returns for eight matches |
| Melbourne Renegades | MCG, Junction Oval, Chennai | Mustafizur Rahman joins Jonny Bairstow and Michael Bracewell |
| Melbourne Stars | MCG, Junction Oval | Finn Allen, Jamie Overton, Craig Overton and Todd Murphy recruited |
| Perth Scorchers | Optus Stadium | Aneurin Donald joins Zak Crawley and Calvin Harrison |
| Sydney Sixers | SCG, Manuka Oval | Jafer Chohan returns; Tim Seifert and Chris Jordan signed |
| Sydney Thunder | ENGIE Stadium, Manuka Oval | Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Will Salzmann strengthen the attack |
Melbourne Renegades will stage their designated opening home match in Chennai, while their remaining home fixtures take place at the MCG and Junction Oval. Compare all BBL 2026-27 teams, captains and coaches.
Which BBL 2026-27 players are confirmed?
There are 121 confirmed primary-squad players across the eight BBL 2026-27 teams as of November, leaving 23 available roster positions.
Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers currently have the largest squads with 17 contracted players each. Melbourne Renegades follow with 16 after signing Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Each club can contract a maximum of 18 players to its primary roster, including up to three overseas players.
Only Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes have an overseas primary-squad vacancy remaining.
| BBL team | Confirmed players | Vacancies | Overseas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| Brisbane Heat | 15 | 3 | 2 |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 17 | 1 | 2 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| Melbourne Stars | 14 | 4 | 3 |
| Perth Scorchers | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Sydney Sixers | 17 | 1 | 3 |
| Sydney Thunder | 14 | 4 | 3 |
| League total | 121 | 23 | 22 |
These totals reflect confirmed primary-squad contracts. Temporary replacement players are counted separately.
Which BBL teams still have overseas vacancies?
Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes are the only teams with an overseas primary-squad vacancy remaining. Each club can add one more overseas player.
Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder have already filled their three overseas positions.
A completed overseas roster does not guarantee that every contracted player will be available for every game.
Which BBL players have limited availability?
A signed contract does not guarantee availability for every BBL|16 match. These are the announced restrictions and replacement arrangements.
| Player | Team | Announced availability |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafizur Rahman | Melbourne Renegades | Misses the 12 December Chennai opener; joins after his ILT20 commitments. Debut date TBC. |
| Jason Behrendorff | Melbourne Renegades | Ruled out of the entire season after shoulder surgery; remains contracted. |
| Tom Curran | Brisbane Heat | Unavailable for the opening three matches; expected to return for the 26 December game. |
| Bevon Jacobs | Brisbane Heat | Temporary international replacement for Curran’s opening three matches. |
| Rishad Hossain | Hobart Hurricanes | Available for the first eight matches, ending with the 12 January league fixture. |
| Jamie Overton | Melbourne Stars | Committed for at least six matches; later availability may depend on England selection. |
Haris Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman have full-season commitments with Adelaide Strikers. Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson are available throughout Sydney Thunder’s campaign, including finals. Perth recruit Aneurin Donald also has full-season availability.
Check the squads and availability tracker before treating an early projected XI as a confirmed match-day team.
Are Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf signed for BBL|16?
Haris Rauf is confirmed for BBL 2026-27 after signing with Adelaide Strikers. The Pakistan fast bowler previously represented Melbourne Stars, taking 56 wickets across 33 Big Bash appearances.
Rauf will play alongside Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman, with all three overseas recruits available throughout the season, including finals.
Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan are not included in the currently confirmed BBL|16 primary squads. Their previous Big Bash involvement does not establish a contract for this season.
See Adelaide Strikers’ BBL16 squad and the latest player signings.
How does the BBL 2026-27 points table and finals system work?
All eight teams start BBL|16 on zero points. Each team plays ten regular-season matches, and the top four on the BBL points table qualify for the finals. The table records matches, wins, losses, no-results, points and net run rate.
| Final | Date | Teams and outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier | 19 January 2027 | 1st vs 2nd; winner reaches the Final and loser gets a second chance |
| Knockout | 20 January 2027 | 3rd vs 4th; winner advances and loser is eliminated |
| Challenger | 23 January 2027 | Qualifier loser vs Knockout winner; winner reaches the Final |
| Final | 26 January 2027 | Qualifier winner vs Challenger winner |
Finals venues remain TBC and depend on qualification and hosting rights. The Qualifier is on 19 January, the Knockout on 20 January, the Challenger on 23 January and the Final on 26 January 2027.
Where will BBL 2026-27 matches be played?
The 40 regular-season matches use 11 grounds in Australia and India: MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Gabba, Manuka Oval, Ninja Stadium (Bellerive Oval), the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), ENGIE Stadium (Sydney Showground Stadium), Optus Stadium (Perth Stadium), Junction Oval, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Adelaide Oval and University of Tasmania Stadium. Finals grounds will be set after the top-four positions are known.
Where can you watch BBL 2026-27?
In Australia, all 44 BBL|16 matches are scheduled for Foxtel and Kayo. Seven and 7plus will show 30 regular-season games and all four finals live and free.
| Region | BBL coverage status |
|---|---|
| Australia | All 44 matches on Foxtel and Kayo; 34 matches on Seven and 7plus. |
| India | JioStar is confirmed for the Chennai opener. Full-season channel and streaming details remain unverified. |
| Pakistan | A current BBL broadcaster for 2026-27 has not been verified. |
| Other countries | Coverage depends on local rights; previous-season broadcaster lists do not confirm access for 2026-27. |
Are BBL 2026-27 tickets on sale?
Yes. Tickets for Australian BBL 2026-27 regular-season matches and the Chennai opener are available through authorised booking platforms, subject to seating availability.
Australian BBL|16 early-bird pricing ends at 11:59 pm in the venue’s local time on 5 November 2026, unless the allocation sells out earlier. Discounts vary by fixture and exclude ticket-agent transaction and booking fees. See the ticket guide for booking routes and the deadline in India and Pakistan time.
In Australia, ticket availability and prices depend on the home club and venue. Melbourne Renegades have also introduced The Fizz Bay for their MCG matches against Sydney Sixers on 1 January and Melbourne Stars on 16 January, celebrating Mustafizur Rahman’s signing.
Check BBL 2026-27 tickets, prices and official booking links.