Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) — Australia's Elite Women's T20 Competition
The WBBL is the world's best women's T20 league. Learn how it works, which teams compete, and why it has transformed women's cricket globally.
What Is the WBBL?
The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is Australia's premier women's Twenty20 cricket competition, organised by Cricket Australia. Launched in 2015-16, it runs alongside the men's Big Bash League (BBL) each summer and is considered the highest standard women's domestic T20 competition in the world. Eight teams compete across a season of approximately 14 weeks.
The 8 WBBL Teams
- Adelaide Strikers (South Australia)
- Brisbane Heat (Queensland)
- Hobart Hurricanes (Tasmania)
- Melbourne Renegades (Victoria)
- Melbourne Stars (Victoria)
- Perth Scorchers (Western Australia)
- Sydney Sixers (New South Wales)
- Sydney Thunder (New South Wales)
Why the WBBL Elevated Women's Cricket
The WBBL provided Australian women's cricketers with regular high-quality match practice in a professional environment, which improved their international performance. International stars from England, New Zealand, India, West Indies, and South Africa also joined WBBL teams, raising both the standard and the profile. The WBBL is broadcast on free-to-air and streaming platforms, reaching millions of Australian viewers.
WBBL and the Global Women's T20 Ecosystem
The WBBL's success inspired similar competitions: England's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (domestic), The Hundred (mixed-gender format from 2021), and India's Women's Premier League (WPL, 2023). The WPL has the potential to exceed the WBBL in scale given India's market size. Together, these competitions have transformed women's cricket from a semi-amateur pursuit into a genuinely professional sport.
Frequently asked questions
Can international players play in the WBBL?
Yes — each WBBL team can recruit international players. The presence of stars like Sophie Ecclestone (England), Smriti Mandhana (India), and Sophie Devine (New Zealand) in the competition raises its quality and international profile.
How is the WBBL format structured?
Each of the eight teams plays 14 regular-season matches in a home-and-away format. The top five teams advance to finals: fourth plays fifth (Eliminator), then a Knockout and two Semi-Finals lead to the Grand Final.