Cricket Australia sets sight on adding new BBL team by 2026/27 despite clubs’ backlash

Cricket Australia is pushing on with plans to expand the Big Bash League, and there’s a legitimate chance a new team will not be based in Australia.

The bold bid for a Big Bash team in Canberra is pushing on undaunted despite Australia’s two biggest states adamant they don’t want it.

Cricket Australia is deadly serious in its consideration of expanding the BBL to include a ninth team, and it’s understood ACT Cricket is in the process of presenting what they believe is their strong business case to other States around the country.

The travelling roadshow has already begun with two states privately confirming they have met with ACT powerbrokers already, and over the coming weeks it’s understood the bid team will present to the remainder of states, including their chief opposition, NSW and Victoria – to allow questions and concerns to be voiced in a constructive forum.

A decision on whether or not to expand is expected by the end of this summer, with any prospective new team expected to enter the league for the 2026-2027 season, following next summer’s home Ashes.

There has been precious little public commentary around the ACT’s BBL bid, largely due to an agreement between them and Cricket NSW to not play the debate out in the media and exacerbate angst already in the air.

Cricket Australia is pushing on with plans to expand the Big Bash with a Canberra side Picture: Getty Images

If CA decided to officially embark on the path to expansion and invite offers from bid teams, Canberra would start as overwhelming favourites given they’re the only prospective bid with a business model and a plan behind it.

However, it’s understood CA would also be interested in exploring the prospect of a satellite team based in a location like Singapore, or investigating whether there was any commercial or strategic value in including a New Zealand team.

It’s understood Cricket Australia could make a unilateral decision on expansion and would not need the majority approval of States, although their interests would be considered.

Despite the fact the BBL has only recently rejuvenated itself with a reduced schedule, broadcasters are not necessarily opposed to the idea of expansion because it could be done without majorly increasing the number of overall fixtures.

While an uneven number of teams is problematic in the AFL and NRL, moving from eight to nine also wouldn’t faze Fox Cricket and Seven in a competition where matches are played on a rolling daily schedule anyway.

Cricket Australia is motivated by a determination to reaffirm its place as the second best T20 tournament in the world behind the IPL and want to start thinking about the competition as a commercial beast that can be grown into the future.

It’s understood Cricket Australia is not afraid of diluting the player pool and in fact likes the idea of creating more professional opportunities for cricketers to make the top level in Australia.

David Warner in action for Sydney Thunder. Picture: Getty Images

There is a feeling cricket needs to enhance its standing with Government, and that perhaps a Canberra team could be a vehicle for that.

As far as CA is concerned, it all comes down to the business case and whether an expansion team could not only sustain itself financially, but also add value to the competition and Australian cricket overall.

ACT Cricket is adamant its bid would be a financial success.

The Sydney Thunder has cut the number of home matches it plays in Canberra from two down to one this summer, in a bid to fully engage its western Sydney roots.

There will be no practical difference for Canberra cricket fans this year because the Melbourne Stars are taking a home game to the Nation’s Capital as well anyway – but how would CA feel about a future where there’s only one or perhaps no games played in the ACT?

Marcus Harris plays a shot for Perth Scorchers. Picture: Getty Images

Canberra is also playing host to the PM’s XI match against India this weekend, rain allowing.

ACT Cricket is a delegate member of Cricket NSW which adds an intriguing subplot.

Cricket NSW and Cricket Victoria remain dead against expansion for a magnitude of reasons, including the fact they’re already propping up two BBL franchises respectively without their player resources being drained further by a ninth team.

But they also privately argue it is unfair for a new team to come in and benefit from the investment put in by the six States without buying their way in.

They fear the equity of the current clubs would drop as would sponsorship dollars on account of marquee prime time matches having to be split with an extra team.

States overall are concerned by the financial position of the game.

Originally published as Cricket Australia sets sight on adding new BBL team by 2026/27 despite clubs’ backlash