Big Bash League 2016-17 schedule released

The schedule for the sixth season of the Australian T20 blockbuster Big Bash League has been released. The season will get underway from 20th December with reigning champions Sydney Thunder clashing with the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium in the ‘Sydney Smash’.

The schedule features 4 doubleheaders. The traditional New Year’s Day blockbusters between the Melbourne Stars v Renegades and Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers which was played at the MCG last year returns to the Adelaide Oval. The Boxing Day (December 26, 2016) will see the Hobart Hurricanes take on the Melbourne Stars take in Hobart. The New Year’s Day (1 January 2017) doubleheader will have Perth Scorchers host the Sydney Thunder.

In total, BBL 06 will feature 35 games in 40 days across the summer school holidays.

Entry level ticket prices remain unchanged for the sixth straight season, with general public tickets to go on sale on Thursday, October 6.

“We operate on a ‘one club, two teams’ mentality with the men’s and women’s Big Bash Leagues to give fans greater options with this integrated schedule,” Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager Operations Mike McKenna said.

“The KFC Big Bash League has become a family favourite during the summer school holidays and the way the public embraced the Women’s Big Bash League last year shows there is a strong demand that this schedule is designed to grow.

“There will be 14 double-headers for the BBL and WBBL to stand side-by-side while still giving the two leagues spotlight to shine equally on their own stage.

“Every BBL match will again be broadcast after averaging more than a million viewers every match last season, complementing the additional one million people who came through the gates in BBL|05.

“We are spending the off-season looking at more innovative ways to build on the league’s strengths and enhancing our fans’ experiences in the fun, fast-paced atmosphere of every match. As part of our commitment to value for families, entry-level ticket prices will remain unchanged for the sixth straight season.”