New-look BBL schedule to light up summer
The KFC BBL|13 schedule has been announced today, unveiling a new-look 40-match fixture and four-game finals series set to deliver fans a blockbuster summer of Big Bash cricket.
KFC BBL|13 will get underway on Thursday, 7 December with last year’s finalists, Brisbane Heat hosting Melbourne Stars at the Gabba. The regular season will conclude at Sydney Showground Stadium when Sydney Thunder host Melbourne Renegades.
A new-look four-match Finals Series will begin two days later, with the Final to be held during school holidays, on Wednesday, 24 January.
Fans will be treated to 35 nights of Big Bash cricket in prime time, with host broadcaster Seven showing 30 KFC BBL|13 matches live. All 40 fixtures will appear on Foxtel and Kayo, including ten exclusive matches, with additional support from SEN.
Key KFC BBL|13 highlights include:
- Tournament opener on 7 December, between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars at the Gabba
- Seven prime time matches ahead of the Perth Test
- KFC BBL|12 Final rematches on January 10 (Gabba) and 13 (Optus Stadium)
- Melbourne Derbies on January 2 (MCG) and 13 (Marvel Stadium)
- Sydney Derbies on December 30 (Sydney Showground Stadium) and January 12 (SCG)
- Two Boxing Day blockbusters, with the Sydney Sixers hosting the Melbourne Stars and the Perth Scorchers taking on the Melbourne Renegades
- The Adelaide Strikers’ New Year’s Eve match at Adelaide Oval against the Melbourne Stars
- A New Year’s Day double-header with the Hobart Hurricanes hosting the Sydney Thunder (Blundstone) and the Brisbane Heat welcoming the Sydney Sixers for the second annual New Year’s Bash at the Gabba.
Alistair Dobson, General Manager, Big Bash Leagues said:
“We’re incredibly pleased and excited with the BBL fixture we’ve been able to deliver this season, with an array of highlights for fans to embrace throughout the summer period.
“The KFC BBL season will again complement the overall shape of this summer’s cricket schedule, and with the season starting on 7 December this season, a week earlier than usual, we’ve got a tremendous opportunity to engage with communities and connect with fans across seven blockbuster nights of Big Bash ahead of the first Men’s Test in Perth.
“All the fan-favorite fixtures return this season, and combined with the family-friendly entertainment that makes the Big Bash, high quality overseas talent via the BBL draft and world-class stadiums and regional venues, there’s no doubt BBL|13 is well positioned to build on the success of BBL|12.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the new finals structure in action, culminating in a prime-time Final during school holidays which is a real win for fans.
“Once again a big thanks goes to our broadcast partners, Seven and Foxtel, for helping build the schedule, our Naming Rights Partner, KFC, and clubs who continue to make the Big Bash Summer’s best family sports and entertainment offering.
“We’re working through the final details of the Weber WBBL|09 schedule and look forward to unveiling it in the coming week.”
The new-look Finals Series will see the top two teams will compete for a spot in the Final via The Qualifier, with the third and fourth placed teams taking part in The Knockout. The winner of the Knockout will progress to the Challenger, alongside the loser of The Qualifier; the winner progressing to the Final.
Tickets for KFC BBL|13 matches will be available on August 24.
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