Cricket Australia has announced a historic milestone for the Big Bash League, with the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers set to open the KFC BBL|16 season in Chennai, India. The match will mark the first time in the competition’s history that a Big Bash fixture is played outside Australia.
The season-opening clash will take place at Chennai’s iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on 12 December 2026. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most passionate cricket venues, the stadium is expected to provide a vibrant backdrop for the beginning of another highly anticipated Big Bash season.
Cricket Australia said the initiative reflects the growing global appeal of the BBL and offers an opportunity to introduce the competition to a broader international audience. The move also highlights the deep sporting relationship between Australia and India, two nations united by a shared passion for cricket.
Australian audiences will be able to follow the action through live broadcasts on the Seven Network and Fox Cricket, while Indian viewers will watch the match through JioStar. Officials expect the fixture to attract one of the largest audiences ever recorded for an Australian domestic sporting competition.
The landmark event has received support from the Australian Government and the Centre for Australia-India Relations through the Maitri program. The initiative aims to strengthen connections between Australia and India through collaboration in education, research, culture and people-to-people engagement.
Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, described the announcement as a significant moment for Australian cricket. He said Chennai’s passionate fan base and rich cricketing culture made it an ideal destination to showcase the excitement and entertainment of the Big Bash League.
The project has also received strong backing from Indian cricket authorities. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association have worked closely with Cricket Australia to make the historic fixture possible, reinforcing growing cooperation between the two cricketing nations.
Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO Ryan Neelam said cricket continues to serve as a powerful bridge between the two countries. He noted that the Chennai fixture would help strengthen community connections, create new opportunities for collaboration and celebrate the enduring cricket relationship between Australia and India.
With the full KFC BBL|16 schedule set to be released next week, anticipation is already building around the season opener. The Chennai match is expected to deliver a unique blend of Australian domestic cricket and Indian cricket culture, creating a memorable start to the Big Bash League’s newest chapter.
