Sky Sports has announced a four-year extension to its broadcast partnership with the Big Bash League (BBL), ensuring UK fans will continue to enjoy live coverage of one of cricket’s most dynamic T20 competitions through the 2025-26 season.
The deal sees Sky retain its role as the BBL’s inaugural broadcast partner, with the coverage spanning both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
Record-Breaking Season for the BBL
The extension comes off the back of a landmark campaign. The 2024-25 BBL season delivered the highest viewing figures under the current rights cycle, reaffirming its place as a premier global T20 league.
- Average attendance reached 22,076 per match, the best figure since the 2017-18 season.
- The BBL also posted the second-highest average attendance across all Australian sports leagues, highlighting its strong domestic popularity.
On the field, the season delivered memorable moments:
- Mitchell Owen blasted a 39-ball century to fire the Hobart Hurricanes to their first-ever BBL title.
- In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), West Indies star Hayley Matthews inspired the Melbourne Renegades to a dramatic final victory over the Brisbane Heat.
Why Sky and Cricket Australia Are Aligned?
Sky Sports Director of Cricket and NFL, Bryan Henderson MBE, highlighted the broadcaster’s commitment:
“This four-year extension means we can continue to showcase one of the most entertaining tournaments in the global cricket calendar, at a time when both the men’s and women’s competitions are going from strength to strength.”
For Cricket Australia, the deal is about extending reach and reinforcing reputation. Kate Ingber, EGM Legal and Business Affairs, added:
“This latest agreement with Sky Sports helps us ensure the WBBL and BBL will continue to grow its global audience, entrenching its long-held reputation as one of the world’s premier T20 tournaments.”
Strategic Significance
The renewal reflects broader themes in cricket’s media economy:
- Year-round relevance → With the BBL played during the northern hemisphere’s winter, Sky ensures its subscribers enjoy a continuous calendar of elite cricket.
- Women’s cricket growth → The WBBL’s rising competitiveness and star power align with global trends of broadcasters investing more into the women’s game.
- Global positioning → By keeping the BBL on air in the UK, Cricket Australia strengthens its brand internationally and maintains exposure for Australian players across markets.
Final Word
The BBL’s mix of on-field spectacle, strong attendance, and growing international reach has cemented its place among cricket’s most important leagues. For Sky Sports, the extension ensures UK audiences stay connected to Australian cricket during their off-season. For Cricket Australia, it represents another step in expanding the league’s footprint — with both the BBL and WBBL emerging as cornerstones of global T20 entertainment.
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IMAGE: Skysports
