A record 47 Women’s Big Bash League matches will be broadcast nationally on television this year – an almost five-fold increase since the WBBL’s inception just seven years ago.
In the WBBL’s first season, 10 matches were televised, followed by 12 in WBBL|02 and WBBL|03, 23 in WBBL|04 and WBBL|05 and 36 last season. The 47 matches to be televised this season – 24 simulcast on Seven and Foxtel, with a further 23 on Foxtel – confirms the WBBL’s enormous popularity with Australian audiences and standing as the world’s best T20 league for women.
All 59 matches will also be streamed live on Kayo Sports with 35 matches on cricket.com.au. Matches will also be available on ABC Radio.
In more good news for fans, the best players from across Australia and around the world will return to home grounds in all six states. Assuming public health conditions allow, the national, festival-based format will be re-installed – and feature matches in metro and regional areas – after last season was played entirely in a bio-secure hub due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
WBBL Series highlights
• North Sydney Oval will play host to the season-opener on Thursday, October 14 with the Sydney Sixers taking on the Melbourne Stars, the first of nine Sydney-based matches in the first week shared between that venue and Blacktown International Sportspark.
• The competition will then move across the country over the following five weeks, visiting at least 11 venues including, for the first time in WBBL history, Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
• Matches will also return to the CitiPower Centre, Great Barrier Reef Arena (Mackay), the WACA Ground, Lilac Hill, Karen Rolton Oval, Centennial Park Oval (Nuriootpa), Blundstone Arena and University of Tasmania Stadium.
• A three-game, top four Finals series remains. Finals Series matches will be played on Wednesday, November 24 and Thursday, November 25, with the Final itself to take place in primetime following day one of the historic Vodafone Men’s Test between Australia and Afghanistan in Hobart on Saturday, November 27.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“We’re excited to announce a WBBL|07 schedule today that demonstrates the incredible commitment of our broadcast partners Seven, Foxtel, Kayo, ABC Radio and cricket.com.au to the League.
“To commit to televising 47 matches this season demonstrates the incredible growth and depth of our competition, which is firmly cemented as Australia’s highest rating women’s sporting league on a per game basis.
“We’re also delighted to take the competition back to our passionate and loyal fans around the country provided it is safe to do so. We’re hoping to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to watch their teams live, along with the millions watching on TV across Australia and around the world.”
Lewis Martin, Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, said:
“The WBBL stands alone as the world’s #1 women’s T20 competition. The world’s best cricketers are set to return this summer, led by Aussie superstars Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, while the players are among elite sport’s most down-to-earth and engaging personalities. We can’t wait to bring fans all the action again, live and free.”
Steve Crawley, Fox Sports Executive Director, said:
“This year Fox Cricket will showcase a 30% increase in our WBBL coverage plus Australia’s only dedicated women’s cricket show, The Blast returns.
“Fox Cricket is the place for cricket lovers.
“With Cricket Australia we continue to drive the WBBL to where it should be – the biggest women’s sports competition in Australia and no doubt one of the greatest in the world.”
See also: KFC BBL|11 fixture revealed: 45 matches on Seven, all 61 on Foxtel & Kayo
