10/07/2026
Renegades and Scorchers to play KFC BBL|16 opener in Chennai
The Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will make history when they open the KFC BBL|16 season in Chennai, India, taking one of the world's most entertaining T20 competitions to a passionate cricket heartland.
For the first time, the Big Bash will roar to life outside Australia, with the season opener showcasing the noise, colour and world class cricket that has made the BBL a global phenomenon to a brand-new army of fans.
The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host the full Big Bash experience, with the Renegades and Scorchers ready to launch BBL|16 in unforgettable fashion.
Australian viewers wonโt miss a moment of the action, with Seven Network and Fox Cricket commentary teams broadcasting live from the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai while JioStar will broadcast the match to millions of Indian viewers.
The landmark BBL match will further deepen the relationship between Australia and India and is in part supported by the Australian Government and the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) through a Maitri grant.
The Maitri program is an Australian Government initiative that aims to strengthen ties with India through education, research and policy collaboration.
The full KFC BBL|16 schedule will be announced next week.
Match Details
Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers
Saturday, 12 December 2026
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
2:40pm local/8:10pm AEDT
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager โ Big Bash Leagues, said:
"Today is a huge moment for the Big Bash Leagues and for Australian cricket.
"Chennai is home to some of the most passionate cricket fans on the planet, and we can't wait to bring the BBL to the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
"Weโre hugely excited by the opportunity and we expect the match will be the most-watched game in Australian domestic league history for any sport.
โWe appreciate the strong interest shown by all of our clubs in this project. In particular, we want to thank the Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers and their players for getting on board and embracing the opportunity to take a competitive Big Bash match overseas.
"We're grateful for the support of the Australian Government and the Centre for Australia-India Relations in helping bring this historic match to life. That the match will form the centrepiece of the GโDay Namaste program demonstrates the power of cricket to bring our two nations together across industry, government and people-to-people links.
โOur thanks also extend to the BCCI and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association who have been instrumental in making the BBLโs first international fixture a reality. We look forward to continuing working with them to deliver an amazing BBL match in Chennai.
"Weโre also grateful to our broadcast partners Seven Network, Foxtel and JioStar who will bring the match to fans across Australia, India and beyond. Their commitment and investment will ensure fans everywhere can tune in and be part of what will be an unforgettable KFC BBL|16 season opener.โ
Ryan Neelam, CEO Centre for Australia India Relations, said:
โCricket is a powerful connector between Australia and India, and weโre proud to support Cricket Australia through our Maitri Grants program to bring the Big Bash League to Chennai.
โThis initiative will strengthen people to people ties, create new opportunities for collaboration and deepen the shared passion for cricket that unites our two nations.โ
Mr T. J. Srinivasaraj, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) President, said:
โThe Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is privileged to partner with Cricket Australia (CA) in this landmark occasion of staging the first-ever Big Bash League match in India.
โThis historic event reflects the spirit of collaboration between our organizations and underscores our shared commitment to delivering cricket at the highest international standards.
"We are confident that this initiative will provide an exceptional experience for players, officials, fans, broadcasters, and commercial partners. Further, this will strengthen the bonds of relationship and sporting excellence between India and Australia and showcasing Chennai as a proud host city for global cricket.โ
Cricket Australia
