Hurricanes fans won’t have to wait long to get the opportunity to recreate grand final-like history
The Hobart Hurricanes will enter the upcoming BBL season as defending champions and now their path to two straight titles can be revealed. Here’s what we know.
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If Hobart Hurricanes fans were still replaying the championship night in their minds, now they can prepare to relive once it again.
The BBL 2025-26 fixture has been announced with the Hurricanes set to open their account with a grand final rematch where they will raise their BBL14 Championship banner against Sydney Thunder on Tuesday, December 16.
Cricket Tasmania boss Dominic Baker said he can’t wait for the start of next summer.
“The BBL15 schedule has me excited, especially our first game on December 16 in the BBL final rematch between the ‘Canes and Thunder,” Baker said.
“We really want to replicate that experience fans had during the BBL Final during our season opener, a sold-out Ninja Stadium.
“Our traditional post-Christmas and New Year’s Day matches remain a crucial part of our cricket calendar, and fans will once again be able to go from a Hurricanes match and experience all that Tasmania has to offer during this fantastic period.
“We are also pleased to be in partnership with the Ponting Foundation once again, and this year’s game on January 14 against the Heat follows on what was a terrific first iteration of the Ponting Foundation game last summer.”
The Canes’ will play three away games following the opening night in Hobart before returning for Monday, December 29 to host the Melbourne Renegades and then the New Year’s Day clash against the Perth Scorchers.
Hurricanes will finish off the season with three games in six days with two games at home against the Adelaide Strikers on Friday, January 9 and Brisbane Heat on Wednesday, January 14.
Full fixture:
Tuesday 16 December: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder – Ninja Stadium (7.15pm)
Thursday 18 December: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes – MCG (7.15pm)
Sunday 21 December: Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes – GHMBA Stadium (7.15pm)
Friday 26 December: Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes – Optus Stadium (9.15pm)
Monday 29 December: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades – Ninja Stadium (7.15pm)
Thursday 1 January: Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers – Ninja Stadium (7.15pm)
Saturday 3 January: Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes – ENGIE Stadium (7.15pm)
Friday 9 January: Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers – Ninja Stadium (7.15pm)
Sunday 11 January: Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes – SCG (2.05pm)
Wednesday 14 January: Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat – Ninja Stadium (7.15pm)
Hurricanes captain urges fans show up in grand final rematch
Hobart Hurricanes skipper Nathan Ellis believes his side can recreate the same atmosphere and excitement when they host the BBL grand final rematch in December.
The BBL champions will host Sydney Thunder on Tuesday December 16, the first home game of the season kicking off at 7.15pm.
Ellis said he still watches last year’s grand final back.
“It was one of the greatest nights in my life, and it was a great night for Tasmanian sports,” Ellis said.
“(it’s) a really good opportunity to try and sell it out again to try and recreate what was a great night and try and recapture that atmosphere.
“That was probably one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced.
“It (last year’s success) still feels fresh to be honest, I feel like we were robbed of a few days of celebrations, everyone heading off here, there and everywhere.
“I’ve watched the replay 45,000 times, actually on the way in under the stadium this morning there’s still some of the confetti just in the corners of the stadium which just makes me smile.”
The Hurricanes will unveil the BBL14 Championship banner before the clash against the Thunder.
Ellis is confident his side can go all the way again next season.
“As far as winning a tournament goes, you need a hell of a lot to go your way, whether it’s luck, timing, momentum or all of the above,” Ellis said.
“I don’t think there’s a recipe, I think I said that last year leading in, there’s not 11 herbs and spices to winning the tournament.
“You just need a lot to go your way, which fortunately, paired with good cricket, happened for us last year.
“I feel like all the pieces are there and if the same luck and momentum and timing goes our way, there’s no reason that we can’t do it again.”
The Hurricanes championship win back in January was topped off that night by a big surprise for Ellis.
“My wife is expecting our first child in October, I actually found out on the field after the final,” Ellis said.
“Connie came on the field for the presentation and she was being a bit weird throughout the day, I thought she was just as nervous as me for the final but after I did all the presentation and interviews and all the lap with the crowd she was still on the field lingering around.
“As we were about to walk into the change rooms to start celebrations, she told me that she was pregnant.
“It was one of the greatest nights of my career turned into probably the greatest night of my life.”
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