Cricket Australia Approves BBL Private Ownership

Cricket Australia has approved a significant shift towards private ownership for its domestic Twenty20 competitions, the Big Bash League (BBL) and the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The governing body announced on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, that the process will begin with the sale of a 100 percent stake in the Melbourne Renegades franchise. The sale of the Renegades is intended to be completed before the 2027-28 BBL and WBBL seasons, with the club expected to operate under new ownership by then. During the 2026-27 domestic season, Cricket Australia will manage the Renegades in a caretaker capacity. This transition will not affect the upcoming BBL and WBBL seasons, which will proceed with clubs in their current structures. The WBBL season is scheduled to begin on October 29, with the BBL season commencing on December 12. The BBL season opener will feature the Melbourne Renegades playing the Perth Scorchers in Chennai, India. Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird stated that the move is a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game, accelerate growth, and ensure continued investment in community cricket, grassroots participation, and elite pathways.