The Big Bash League returns for its 16th season with a historic opening match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 12 December 2026, marking the first time a BBL fixture will be played outside Australia. Perth Scorchers enter as defending champions chasing a seventh consecutive title, while all eight franchises continue to build their squads ahead of the BBL|16 Draft. Here is how every team’s list is shaping up.
BBL 2026-27 All Teams, Captains and Coaches
The table below provides a snapshot of each franchise heading into BBL|16, including confirmed captains, head coaches and home grounds.
| Team | Captain | Head Coach | Home Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Matt Short | Tim Paine | Adelaide Oval |
| Brisbane Heat | Usman Khawaja | Johan Botha | The Gabba |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Nathan Ellis | Jeff Vaughan | Blundstone Arena |
| Melbourne Renegades | Will Sutherland | TBC | MCG / Junction Oval |
| Melbourne Stars | Marcus Stoinis | Peter Moores | MCG |
| Perth Scorchers | Ashton Turner | Adam Voges | Optus Stadium |
| Sydney Sixers | Moises Henriques | James Hopes | SCG |
| Sydney Thunder | David Warner | Andrew Flintoff | Engie Stadium |
Brisbane Heat are yet to confirm their BBL|16 captain after Usman Khawaja’s contract expired at the end of last season. Similarly, Sydney Sixers are still to announce their skipper following Moises Henriques’ move into free agency. Melbourne Renegades are searching for a new head coach after Cameron White departed the club to join the Melbourne Stars.
Adelaide Strikers BBL 2026-27 Squad
Captain Matt Short and wicketkeeper Alex Carey form the backbone of the Strikers’ batting order, with both contracted through to the end of BBL|17. Indian-born allrounder Jerrssis Wadia earned a full contract after a breakout performance in BBL|15, while versatile batter Mackenzie Harvey and speedster Henry Thornton secured one-year extensions.
Travis Head remains out of contract despite being a Striker through and through. Australia’s packed international schedule has kept him from playing a Big Bash match in three consecutive seasons. The BBL’s all-time leading run-scorer, Chris Lynn, also faces an uncertain future after his fourth consecutive one-year deal expired.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Alex Carey (contracted until BBL|17)
- Mackenzie Harvey (BBL|16)
- Thomas Kelly (BBL|16)
- Lloyd Pope (BBL|16)
- Jason Sangha (BBL|16)
- Liam Scott (BBL|16)
- Matt Short (BBL|17)
- Tom Straker (BBL|16)
- Henry Thornton (BBL|16)
- Jerrssis Wadia (BBL|17)
Notable uncontracted players: Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Ross, Harry Nielsen
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Hassan Ali (Pakistan), Jamie Overton (England), Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa), Luke Wood (England)
Brisbane Heat BBL 2026-27 Squad
The Heat have invested heavily in youth for BBL|16, with pacemen Xavier Bartlett (contracted until BBL|18), Spencer Johnson (BBL|17), Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen and explosive opener Max Bryant all locked in to return. Matthew Kuhnemann was the 10th player re-signed prior to the contracting embargo, adding another year to his deal.
Usman Khawaja is a free agent after his four-year Heat deal expired, though coach Johan Botha has indicated the retired Test opener remains firmly in the club’s plans as a prime candidate for the new designated batter rule being introduced in BBL|16. Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser are also uncontracted, with Australia’s five-Test tour of India in January likely to limit their availability.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Xavier Bartlett (contracted until BBL|18)
- Max Bryant (BBL|18)
- Lachlan Hearne (BBL|16)
- Spencer Johnson (BBL|17)
- Matt Kuhnemann (BBL|16)
- Nathan McSweeney (BBL|16)
- Matthew Renshaw (BBL|17)
- Callum Vidler (BBL|16)
- Hugh Weibgen (BBL|17)
- Jack Wildermuth (BBL|16)
Notable uncontracted players: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Tom Balkin, Paddy Dooley
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Tom Alsop (England), Colin Munro (New Zealand), Zaman Khan (Pakistan)
Hobart Hurricanes BBL 2026-27 Squad
The Hurricanes had their roster sorted well ahead of the BBL|15 season, adding extensions for Matthew Wade, Tim David, Jake Weatherald and Billy Stanlake during 2025. Captain Nathan Ellis and strike bowler Riley Meredith are both locked in until the end of BBL|17, giving Hobart one of the most settled pace attacks in the competition.
The core of their BBL|14 championship-winning batting lineup returns intact, with Tim David, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Mitch Owen and Beau Webster all contracted. Opener Tim Ward is a free agent after a breakout 200-run season, while English allrounder Chris Jordan’s two-year deal has expired and the club can choose to re-sign him or look elsewhere once the embargo lifts.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Nikhil Chaudhary (contracted until BBL|17)
- Tim David (BBL|16)
- Nathan Ellis (BBL|17)
- Ben McDermott (BBL|17)
- Riley Meredith (BBL|17)
- Mitch Owen (BBL|17)
- Billy Stanlake (BBL|16)
- Matthew Wade (BBL|16)
- Jake Weatherald (BBL|16)
- Beau Webster (BBL|17)
Notable uncontracted players: Tim Ward, Mac Wright, Marcus Bean, Iain Carlisle, Will Prestwidge, Jackson Bird, Hugo Burdon
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Rehan Ahmed (England), Chris Jordan (England), Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh)
Melbourne Renegades BBL 2026-27 Squad
The Renegades enter BBL|16 amid significant off-field upheaval. Cricket Victoria announced in June 2026 that the Stars and Renegades will merge administrations into a single entity, though the rebranding has been postponed for this season. The club has also ended a 15-year association with Marvel Stadium, relocating to the MCG as their primary home ground alongside two fixtures at Junction Oval.
Captain Will Sutherland has acknowledged the challenging off-season but says the playing group is channelling a “nothing to lose” mentality. Big-hitting opener Josh Brown signed a two-year extension, while fast bowler Tom Rogers added another season after missing BBL|15 through shoulder surgery. Veteran Andrew Tye has retired.
Australian white-ball star Adam Zampa is a notable free agent, with as many as four rival clubs reportedly interested in the leg-spinner. Test spinner Nathan Lyon did not play a single game during his three-year contract due to international commitments. Gurinder Sandhu, BBL|15’s joint leading regular season wicket-taker with 18, is also out of contract.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Jason Behrendorff (contracted until BBL|17)
- Josh Brown (BBL|17)
- Harry Dixon (BBL|16)
- Brendan Doggett (BBL|16)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (BBL|17)
- Caleb Jewell (BBL|16)
- Ollie Peake (BBL|17)
- Tom Rogers (BBL|16)
- Will Sutherland (BBL|17)
Notable uncontracted players: Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Gurinder Sandhu, Sam Elliott, Will Salzmann
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Muhammad Rizwan (Pakistan), Hassan Khan (Pakistan), Tim Seifert (New Zealand)
Retired: Andrew Tye
Departed: Fergus O’Neill (Sydney Sixers)
Melbourne Stars BBL 2026-27 Squad
Glenn Maxwell’s decision to remain loyal to the Stars was the headline signing of the off-season. The 37-year-old allrounder knocked back big money offers from rivals to commit for another two seasons through to the end of BBL|17. Reigning BBL Player of the Tournament Sam Harper, allrounder Hilton Cartwright and emerging left-hander Campbell Kellaway also signed two-year extensions.
Veteran Peter Siddle will play on past the age of 42, continuing to mentor young quick Austin Anlezark. Captain Marcus Stoinis has one more season remaining on his three-year deal, while leg-spinner Mitch Swepson has two years left after an impressive debut season with the club, taking eight wickets at an economy of 7.30.
Test paceman Scott Boland is out of contract and has not played a Big Bash match in two seasons. Mark Steketee, their leading wicket-taker the season prior, missed BBL|15 with a hamstring injury and is also a free agent.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Austin Anlezark (contracted until BBL|16)
- Hilton Cartwright (BBL|17)
- Sam Harper (BBL|17)
- Liam Hatcher (BBL|16)
- Campbell Kellaway (BBL|17)
- Glenn Maxwell (BBL|17)
- Tom Rogers (BBL|16)
- Peter Siddle (BBL|16)
- Marcus Stoinis (BBL|16)
- Mitch Swepson (BBL|17)
Notable uncontracted players: Scott Boland, Mark Steketee, Jon Merlo, Hamish McKenzie, Blake Macdonald
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Joe Clarke (England), Tom Curran (England), Sam Hain (England), Haris Rauf (Pakistan)
Perth Scorchers BBL 2026-27 Squad
The defending champions have their future secured with young guns Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson all contracted, alongside senior heads Ashton Turner, Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar and Joel Paris. Turner’s deal runs through to BBL|18, the longest commitment on the Scorchers’ books.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is the most significant name yet to be locked away for BBL|16 after he was unable to agree to terms before the contracting embargo. The Scorchers will be keen to secure both Inglis and New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who played key roles in the BBL|15 Final triumph over the Sixers that delivered the club’s record-extending sixth title.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Ashton Agar (contracted until BBL|17)
- Mahli Beardman (BBL|16)
- Cooper Connolly (BBL|16)
- Aaron Hardie (BBL|17)
- Mitch Marsh (BBL|17)
- Lance Morris (BBL|16)
- Joel Paris (BBL|16)
- Jhye Richardson (BBL|16)
- Ashton Turner (BBL|18)
Notable uncontracted players: Josh Inglis, Brody Couch, Nick Hobson, Sam Fanning, Matthew Kelly, Luke Holt, Joel Curtis, Corey Rocchiccioli
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Finn Allen (New Zealand), Laurie Evans (England), David Payne (England)
Sydney Sixers BBL 2026-27 Squad
The Sixers have been the most active club this off-season, appointing James Hopes as head coach after parting ways with long-serving Greg Shipperd. They also signed Ollie Davies to a three-year deal and lured Fergus O’Neill from the Renegades on a two-year contract during the Player Movement Window.
Steve Smith is confirmed for BBL|16, as is Sean Abbott, the most prolific men’s bowler in the competition’s history. Prolific left-armer Ben Dwarshuis is signed until BBL|17, and breakout stars Joel Davies and Lachlan Shaw will return alongside wicketkeeper Josh Philippe.
Two-time championship-winning skipper Moises Henriques remains out of contract at age 38, with his captaincy future the subject of ongoing speculation. Mitchell Starc is also a free agent following a sensational Big Bash comeback in BBL|15, though his availability will be limited by Australia’s five-Test tour of India in January.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Sean Abbott (contracted until BBL|16)
- Joel Davies (BBL|16)
- Ollie Davies (BBL|18)
- Ben Dwarshuis (BBL|17)
- Jack Edwards (BBL|16)
- Hayden Kerr (BBL|16)
- Fergus O’Neill (BBL|17)
- Josh Philippe (BBL|16)
- Lachlan Shaw (BBL|16)
- Jordan Silk (BBL|17)
- Steve Smith (BBL|16)
Notable uncontracted players: Moises Henriques, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Todd Murphy, Daniel Hughes, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Babar Azam (Pakistan), Sam Curran (England), Jafer Chohan (England)
Sydney Thunder BBL 2026-27 Squad
David Warner will play on into his forties after signing a one-year extension for BBL|16. The veteran batter finished the BBL|15 regular season as the competition’s leading run-scorer with 433 runs at an average of 86.60, showing no signs of slowing down since joining the Big Bash full-time after his international retirement.
Sam Konstas is the Thunder’s longest-term investment, contracted through to BBL|18. English wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who signed a three-year deal in 2024, is the only overseas player currently contracted beyond this season across the entire competition. Matthew Gilkes and fast bowler Ryan Hadley each re-signed for two years on deadline day.
Head coach Andrew Flintoff remains at the helm after the club parted ways with Trevor Bayliss. Pat Cummins is the biggest name off-contract, though Australia’s five-Test tour of India in January will limit his availability. Experienced quicks Wes Agar and Nathan McAndrew, along with senior batter Nic Maddinson, are also free agents.
Contracted for BBL|16:
- Cameron Bancroft (contracted until BBL|17)
- Sam Billings (BBL|16)
- Matt Gilkes (BBL|17)
- Chris Green (BBL|16)
- Ryan Hadley (BBL|17)
- Sam Konstas (BBL|18)
- Aidan O’Connor (BBL|16)
- Daniel Sams (BBL|17)
- Tanveer Sangha (BBL|17)
- David Warner (BBL|16)
Notable uncontracted players: Pat Cummins, Wes Agar, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Charlie Anderson, Tom Andrews, Blake Nikitaras
Notable uncontracted overseas players: Ravichandran Ashwin (India), Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Reece Topley (England), David Willey (England)
Departed: Ollie Davies (Sydney Sixers)
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BBL|16 Squads Will Evolve Significantly Before the Season Opener
The squads listed above reflect the current state of play following the Player Movement Window and contracting embargo. Additional signings, overseas draft selections and returning international players will reshape these rosters before the season opener on 12 December 2026 in Chennai.
With Australia’s Test stars likely unavailable due to the five-Test tour of India in January, the September draft will be critical for clubs looking to fill gaps across their batting and bowling stocks.
