The Women’s Big Bash League, known as the WBBL, is Australia’s major domestic T20 cricket competition for women. It brings together leading Australian players and international cricket stars.
The WBBL 2026 season will again give fans a chance to follow exciting T20 cricket. The competition includes established teams, experienced players, and young talent.
This guide covers WBBL teams, schedules, fixtures, results, standings, players, statistics, winners, and records. It also explains how the league works and why it matters to Australian women’s cricket.
What Is the Women’s Big Bash League?
The Women’s Big Bash League is a professional T20 cricket competition in Australia. It was created to provide a strong domestic platform for women cricketers.
Each match uses the T20 format. Both teams get a limited number of overs to score runs. This makes WBBL cricket fast, competitive, and easy to follow.
The league features players from Australia and other cricket-playing countries. Many international stars have played in the competition.
For Australian players, the WBBL season is also an important part of the domestic cricket calendar.
WBBL 2026
WBBL 2026 is WBBL|12 — the 12th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League — starting on Thursday 29 October 2026 with an opening double-header at Junction Oval: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder, followed by Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes.
The season features 43 matches in total — 40 league games plus 3 finals — played over 38 days. Each of the eight teams plays 10 league matches, and the top four qualify for the finals.
The finals run from 1 to 5 December 2026: The Knockout (3rd hosts 4th) on 1 December, The Challenger (2nd hosts the Knockout winner) on 3 December, and the Final on Saturday 5 December 2026, hosted by the top-placed team. The defending champions are the Hobart Hurricanes, winners of their maiden title in WBBL|11.
WBBL|12 also introduces two playing-condition changes: “designated batters” — a nominated player who may neither field nor bowl — and stricter over-rate penalties that enforce the full powerplay fielding restrictions when a side falls behind the required rate.
WBBL Teams
The competition features eight WBBL teams:
- Adelaide Strikers
- Brisbane Heat
- Hobart Hurricanes
- Melbourne Renegades
- Melbourne Stars
- Perth Scorchers
- Sydney Sixers
- Sydney Thunder
These Women’s Big Bash League teams represent major Australian cities and regions.
Each club builds a squad with Australian players and overseas recruits. Team combinations can change from season to season.
WBBL Players
WBBL players come from different cricket backgrounds. The league includes batters, bowlers, wicketkeepers, and all-rounders.
Australian international players are regular participants. Overseas stars also add experience and variety to the competition.
The WBBL has featured well-known players from countries such as India, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies.
Players such as Smriti Mandhana have also played in the competition. This shows the growing international reach of the league.
Young Australian players can also use WBBL cricket to gain valuable experience. Strong performances can help them progress to higher levels of the game.
WBBL Schedule and Fixtures
WBBL|12 (the 2026-27 season) comprises 43 matches — 40 league games plus 3 finals — played across 38 days from 29 October 2026.
The WBBL fixtures list every match of the season: 40 league games with each team playing 10 matches, followed by the finals — The Knockout on 1 December, The Challenger on 3 December, and the Final on Saturday 5 December 2026 at the top-placed team’s home ground.
WBBL matches are played at different cricket grounds across Australia. This allows fans in different cities to watch professional women’s cricket.
Match dates and times can change, so it is useful to check the latest official schedule before a game.
See the WBBL 12 schedule for the full list of matches.
WBBL Results
WBBL results show the outcome of completed matches. They include the winning team, scores, and key match details.
Following results throughout the season helps fans understand how each team is performing.
A single match can also have a major effect on the WBBL standings. This becomes especially important as the regular season approaches its final stages.
WBBL Live Scores
WBBL live scores allow fans to follow matches while they are being played.
A live score can show:
- Current team score
- Wickets lost
- Overs completed
- Run rate
- Batter scores
- Bowler figures
- Match result
Live scoring is useful for fans who cannot watch the full match. It also makes it easier to follow several WBBL matches during a busy season.
WBBL Standings and Points Table
The WBBL standings show where each team sits in the competition.
The WBBL points table normally considers factors such as wins, losses, and points earned from matches. Teams try to finish high enough to reach the finals.
Net run rate can also become important when teams have similar records.
The points table is therefore one of the easiest ways to track the progress of every WBBL team.
WBBL Statistics
WBBL statistics provide a deeper look at individual and team performances.
Important statistics can include:
- Most runs
- Most wickets
- Highest individual score
- Best bowling figures
- Batting average
- Strike rate
- Bowling economy
- Team totals
These numbers help fans compare performances during the WBBL season.
Statistics are also useful when looking at the development of players. A young player with consistent performances can quickly attract attention.
WBBL Winners and Champions
Every WBBL season ends with a champion. Here is the complete list of WBBL winners across all 11 seasons played so far:
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| WBBL|01 (2015-16) | Sydney Thunder | Sydney Sixers | 3 wickets |
| WBBL|02 (2016-17) | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers | 7 runs |
| WBBL|03 (2017-18) | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers | 9 wickets |
| WBBL|04 (2018-19) | Brisbane Heat | Sydney Sixers | 3 wickets |
| WBBL|05 (2019-20) | Brisbane Heat | Adelaide Strikers | 6 wickets |
| WBBL|06 (2020-21) | Sydney Thunder | Melbourne Stars | 7 wickets |
| WBBL|07 (2021-22) | Perth Scorchers | Adelaide Strikers | 12 runs |
| WBBL|08 (2022-23) | Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Sixers | 10 runs |
| WBBL|09 (2023-24) | Adelaide Strikers | Brisbane Heat | 3 runs |
| WBBL|10 (2024-25) | Melbourne Renegades | Brisbane Heat | 7 runs (DLS) |
| WBBL|11 (2025-26) | Hobart Hurricanes | Perth Scorchers | 8 wickets |
Note: Melbourne Stars are the only franchise yet to win the title — they were runners-up in WBBL|06.
Most recently, the Hobart Hurricanes lifted their maiden title in the WBBL|11 final at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on 13 December 2025 — chasing down 138 to beat the Perth Scorchers by 8 wickets, with Lizelle Lee’s unbeaten 77 (the highest score in a WBBL final) earning her Player of the Match.
WBBL Final
The WBBL final is one of the most important matches of the season.
After the regular competition, the leading teams compete in the finals series. The final gives the remaining contenders a chance to win the WBBL championship.
The winning team becomes the season’s champion and lifts the WBBL trophy.
For players, the final can also be an important career moment. Strong performances on the biggest stage often become memorable parts of a player’s WBBL record.
WBBL Records
WBBL records cover the most notable performances in league history. These are the verified all-time records:
- Highest individual score: Lizelle Lee — 150* for Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers at the SCG (November 2024)
- Highest team total: Sydney Sixers — 4/242 vs Melbourne Stars (December 2017)
- Best bowling figures: Megan Schutt — 6/19 vs Sydney Thunder (November 2022)
- Most career runs: Beth Mooney — 5,600
- Most career wickets: Jess Jonassen — 184
- Most runs in a season: Ellyse Perry — 778 (WBBL|04)
- Most wickets in a season: Sarah Aley — 28 (WBBL|02)
Why Is WBBL Important to Australian Women’s Cricket?
The WBBL is an important part of Australian women’s cricket.
It gives players regular access to high-level domestic T20 cricket. Young players can learn from experienced international stars. Established players can also stay match-ready during the domestic season.
The competition has helped increase the visibility of women’s cricket in Australia. It has also created opportunities for international players to compete in Australian conditions.
WBBL cricket therefore has value beyond individual matches. It supports player development and adds depth to the women’s game.
How Does a WBBL Season Work?
A WBBL season begins with the regular competition. Teams play matches to earn points and improve their position in the standings.
The best-performing teams progress to the finals stage.
The final part of the competition determines the champion. This format creates strong competition throughout the season because every result can affect a team’s position.
Fans can follow the full season through the WBBL schedule, fixtures, live scores, results, and points table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smriti Mandhana play WBBL?
Yes. Smriti Mandhana has played in the Women’s Big Bash League. Her participation has helped bring more international attention to WBBL cricket.
Who won women’s BBL?
The Hobart Hurricanes are the reigning WBBL champions. They won their maiden title in the WBBL|11 final on 13 December 2025 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart: after the Perth Scorchers posted 137/5 from 20 overs, the Hurricanes chased down the target with 141/2 in 15 overs — winning by 8 wickets with 30 balls to spare. Lizelle Lee’s unbeaten 77 off 44 balls, the highest score in a WBBL final, earned her Player of the Match.
What is the average salary for a WBBL player?
WBBL salaries can vary between players. Contract value can depend on experience, role, and individual contract arrangements. There is no single salary for every WBBL player.
Who is the strongest team in BBL?
Team performance changes from season to season. For the women’s competition, fans can compare WBBL titles, recent results, standings, and player performances when looking at team records.
Who is the best female cricketer in Australia?
There is no single agreed answer, but WBBL history offers some objective markers: Beth Mooney is the league’s all-time leading run-scorer (5,600 runs), Ellyse Perry holds the record for most runs in a season (778 in WBBL|04), Jess Jonassen is the leading wicket-taker (184 wickets), and Megan Schutt holds the best bowling figures (6/19). The “best” label usually depends on the format, the era, and whether batting, bowling, or all-round impact is valued most.
Final Thoughts
The WBBL is a major part of professional women’s cricket in Australia. The Women’s Big Bash League combines domestic talent with international experience.
For fans, there are many ways to follow the competition. You can check WBBL teams, WBBL players, schedules, fixtures, live scores, results, standings, statistics, and records.
The league also continues to provide an important platform for the growth of Australian women’s cricket. With every new WBBL season, players have another opportunity to compete, improve, and create new moments in the history of the competition.