Heat to host Stars for third annual New Year’s BBL Bash at the Gabba
What better way to kick off 2025 than with the reigning BBL champs? The Heat is hosting the Stars – and a special music act – at the Gabba on New Year’s Day, headlining an exciting January for Brisbane events.
The reigning BBL champs are hosting a New Year’s Bash at the Gabba, and all cricket fans are invited.
Example – the musician best known for hits Kickstarts and Changed The Way You Kiss Me – will perform during the innings break of the Brisbane Heat’s third annual January 1 clash, for which they will take on the Melbourne Stars.
The match will also serve as a fundraiser for the KFC Youth Foundation, supporting Aussie youth mental health initiatives.
Heat stalwart Matt Kuhnemann said the New Year’s Day fixture was the highlight of the season for the players.
“It’s awesome to have great live acts and it’s always a fun, entertaining game – the boys get up for it,” he said.
Of the Stars, he added: “Any team with Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell is always going to be a tough ask. But we’ve also got players raring to go – Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson are really bowling well.”
Kuhnemann – a left-arm orthodox spinner who played three Tests for Australia in India in 2023 – said this season presented a big challenge for the Heat: winning back-to-back titles.
The club smashed the fancied Sydney Sixers by 54 runs to claim the trophy last January in a proud moment for the Queenslander and one-club BBL player.
“It was amazing,” the 28-year-old said. “From getting a chance to play with some world-class players like Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn (in my early seasons at the Heat) to actually play a part in winning the comp – (my time at the Heat) has been a dream come true.
“I’m playing with some of my best mates and it’s just so much fun.”
Brisbane did a decent job of keeping its title-winning side together for this season. Big-hitters Josh Brown (now at the Renegades) and Sam Billings (Thunder) were significant outs, but Kuhnemann highlighted new coach Johan Botha, and returning and new internationals Colin Munro (New Zealand), Paul Walter and Tom Alsop (both England) as big ins.
“We know we’re going to have to play better than last year to go back-to-back,” he said. “That’s our challenge.
“The way (former South African international Botha) used to play his cricket was really impressive – he can bat, bowl, he captained. His cricket brain is something I’ll be jumping into and hopefully he can take us to another championship.”
Having moved to Tasmania to play Shield cricket, Brisbane-born and Gold Coast-raised Kuhnemann is relishing being back in Queensland for the BBL season.
He said he immediately set about making Alsop and Walter feel at home, taking them to The Brekky Creek Hotel the day they arrived in Brisbane for a steak.
“I’ve loved my move to Tasmania,” he said. “But I’m happy to come home – we played Queensland recently in a one-day game and Matty Renshaw absolutely smacked me everywhere, made 100. So I’m happy not to bowl to him anytime soon.
“My goal (this BBL season) is to just play my part and contribute to as many wins as I can.”
The Brisbane Heat will take on the Melbourne Stars at The Gabba, 6.15pm on January 1. Tickets available via Ticketek.
WHAT’S ON IN BRISBANE
NYE fireworks
There are plenty of family-friendly fireworks events planned for New Year’s Eve.
In Brisbane, the annual Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks will be held at South Bank Parklands with two free shows (7.45pm and midnight). The best viewing locations are Clem Jones Promenade, the Cultural Forecourt, Riverside Green and River Quay.
On the Gold Coast, celebrations take place from 8pm everywhere from Broadbeach and Coolangatta, to Coomera and Surfers Paradise.
Check your local council websites for times and locations.
Magical week
Gold Coast Turf Club will host the The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday, January 11.
The $14.5m race day will attract the best and brightest young horse talent, plus a cavalcade of stars from Australia’s entertainment, sporting and corporate worlds.
You’re also likely to spot a Royal and some Hollywood A-listers there.
The race day wraps a fun and action-packed week of racing, polo, fashion and horse sales on the Glitter Strip, starting Sunday, January 4.
Visit magicmillions.com.au
Roar them home
Head down to Brisbane’s Perry Park on Saturday, January 4, as the Brisbane Roar host Canberra United in Round 10 of the A-League Women’s competition.
Canberra beat Brisbane 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Round 1 and this promises to be a cracking contest between two of the best teams in the league.
Kick off is 5pm.
Visit brisbaneroar.com.au
Brisbane International Tennis
Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and world No.4 Jessica Pegula are among the big drawcards in the women’s section of this week’s Brisbane International tennis tournament.
In the men’s draw, it’s Nick Kyrgios, Matteo Berrettini, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.
The tournament runs from December 29 to January 5 at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
Kids go free as part of Family Fun Day on December 29. Adult ticket prices start from $30 and a family pass (two adults and two children) starts from $60.
Visit brisbaneinternational.com.au
The interactive Bluey’s World experience is open at Hamilton Northshore through the school holidays.
Visitors can experience the Heeler family’s world “for real life”, with life-size sets, interactive play and a mesmerising soundscape inspired by much-loved Bluey episodes.
From Bluey and Bingo’s bedroom to the living room and kitchen, fans will also get to play beneath the shady branches of the Poinciana tree in Bluey’s backyard.
Tickets and info at ticketek.blueysworld.com.au
Soul brothers
The Teskey Brothers will bring their soulful sounds to A Day on The Green at Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, on January 19.
The five-time ARIA winners will be joined by US indie rockers Band of Horses, Americana, and folk and roots artist SierraFerrell.
Hailing from Melbourne, the Teskey Brothers will head to the US, Europe and the UK after the Sirromet show.
Visit adayonthegreen.com.au
Slam dunk
The Brisbane Bullets host the Sydney Kings at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, January 4.
The cash of the traditional rivals will kickstart a busy month of home fixtures for the Bullets who host the NZ Breakers (January 8), Perth Wildcats (January 15), Cairns Taipans (January 17) and Melbourne United (January 26).
There are a host of ticketing and entertainment options available.
Visit brisbanebullets.com.au
Ancient history
Learn more about the mysteries, artistry and rituals from one of the world’s most captivating civilisations at Queensland Museum over the school holidays.
Discovering Ancient Egypt is an exhibition from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities and is recommended for all ages.
It features 3D light projections of the Temple of Taffeh, ornate sculptures and design, and excerpts from sacred ceremonies including rare Book of the Dead scrolls.
Sessions have limited capacity, so it’s best to book ahead.
Visit museum.qld.gov.au
Originally published as Heat to host Stars for third annual New Year’s BBL Bash at the Gabba
Clever idea Katie Page is bringing to Magic Millions
It’s a popular bonding activity for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions’ big-name ambassadors, and now it’s coming to crowds at the race track.
What’s open in Qld on New Years Eve and day?
The holidays are all about giving, spending time with those who matter, and wondering what is open. WHAT’S OPEN
We’re powerless until a reliable energy plan is switched on
Remotely turning off the airconditioners of paying customers to keep the lights on for the rest of us seems like a stopgap solution at best, an act of desperation at worst, writes the editor.