The WBBL comes home: season 12 opens at Junction Oval next Thursday
Renegades v Thunder, then Stars v the reigning champions Hurricanes, in a double-header under lights on 29 October.
The Weber WBBL|12 season starts in Melbourne next Thursday, 29 October, with a double-header under lights at Junction Oval, Cricket Australia announced on Friday.
The Melbourne Renegades host the Sydney Thunder in the first match. The Melbourne Stars then take on the Hobart Hurricanes, the reigning champions.
The first week
Cricket Australia says every state will host home matches in the opening week, including a double-header at Drummoyne Oval. The week ends with the Hurricanes hosting the Renegades at Ninja Stadium, the ground where they won WBBL|11.
The season was launched at the Sydney Botanic Gardens on Friday, with T20 world champions among the players there. According to Cricket Australia, stars from Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup win are spread across the league, alongside international players.
Easier for families
Alistair Dobson, Executive General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues, said there would be more matches under lights than ever before, and more games from Thursday to Sunday.
“Easier for families to get along.”
He said clubs were again “prioritising affordability for families”, and that last season brought record broadcast numbers and digital engagement.
Cricket Australia has published the full WBBL|12 schedule.
Sources: Cricket Australia media release, 23 October 2026.