BBL 2025-26 Set to Begin on December 14 — Aussie Test Stars Available for Final Stages. The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season is all set to launch on December 14, with Cricket Australia unveiling the official schedule on Thursday (July 3). This season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, as Australia’s Test players are expected to feature in the closing stages of the tournament, thanks to a rare two-week break following the home Ashes series.
The action kicks off just three days before the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, as the Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers in the season opener.
The 40-match regular season will wrap up on January 18, with the finals scheduled for January 25 — just ahead of the Australia Day public holiday on January 26.
Australia’s Test Stars Set for Late Return in BBL 2025-26
Australia’s Test cricketers are expected to be available for the final stretch of the BBL 2025-26 season, with the fifth Ashes Test scheduled in Sydney from January 4 to 8. While the grueling five-match series means only a handful of top-order batters are likely to feature, there’s optimism that some bowlers and all-rounders may join the league as preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off in February.
Player availability will ultimately depend on individual decisions and Cricket Australia’s performance management strategies. Still, this season marks a significant improvement from previous years. In contrast to recent summers—when Test matches ran into late January or early February, limiting BBL participation—this year’s scheduling offers a more favorable window.
“A Strong Season Ahead” – BBL Boss Alistair Dobson
“We identified this season as a big one early on,” Dobson told ESPNcricinfo. “Having a clear run of prime-time slots from mid-December to the end of January, with BBL games almost every night, gives us a really solid platform.”
Dobson acknowledged that in past seasons, overlapping Test schedules and other international duties often disrupted player availability. “This year, the combination of scheduling factors gives us real confidence that this could be one of the best BBL seasons we’ve had,” he added.
To maximize Test player participation, the BBL schedule has been designed so that every team plays a home match in the final week of the regular season. This structure increases the chance of seeing big names return for both the closing week and the finals.
However, some key Test stars remain uncontracted by BBL teams. Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins are currently without BBL deals. Travis Head also remains unsigned, having not featured for the Adelaide Strikers recently, while Cameron Green hasn’t played in the league since January 2020.