The Australian summer’s biggest and most popular party is back, with the KFC BBL|16 schedule unveiled today. 

Following a season of huge viewership and attendance growth, the Big Bash League will continue to deliver blockbuster matches every night of summer. 

The league's action-packed schedule includes,

• Historic season opener when the Renegades host the Scorchers in Chennai, India
• The return of a Christmas Eve match at Junction Oval
• An uninterrupted schedule of Big Bash every night, including six huge TV double-headers
• Fan-favourite fixtures and marquee matches in every club’s home market
• Full season, including finals, completed within school holidays
• The final was played on the Australia Day public holiday

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said, "The BBL|16 season is shaping up to have everything we love about the Big Bash – great players, full stadiums of fans and the best nights of entertainment anywhere this summer.

“With uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love, this schedule ensures the BBL remains the heartbeat of summer. We’re hugely excited by the opportunity to open the season in Chennai and can’t wait to see the return of Christmas Eve cricket under lights at Junction Oval," Dobson added.

“The Big Bash was built on the spirit of innovation and evolution, and our new Designated Batter and Fielder rule will come into effect this season, giving teams more strategic options and creating new dynamics for fans to enjoy," he added further.