Cricket Australia has confirmed that the upcoming 2023/24 season of the Big Bash League (BBL) will feature a shortened 44-match schedule, down from the previous 61, with the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) games remaining at 59 matches. The change comes as part of Cricket Australia's seven-year broadcast deal with the Foxtel Group and Seven West Media, with a new four-match finals series featuring the top four clubs, and the finals structure to be confirmed.
The BBL will feature 40 regular season matches and four finals, giving greater flexibility to deliver the best possible fixture for clubs and fans, while maintaining a platform for players to continue producing world-class cricket. The reduction of BBL matches follows criticism of the league being too long.
In a statement, Alistair Dobson, General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said, "As a League, we're always reviewing and looking at ways we can evolve, adapt, and innovate, and as part of that, we'll continue to consider the structure of the WBBL season."
There will be no changes to the WBBL schedule, with the world's best players set to compete in the ninth season of the tournament across 56 regular season matches and three finals.
From May 15, the first-ever retention window will open for a week, allowing clubs to re-sign up to 12 BBL and 10 WBBL players from their previous season's primary lists, excluding overseas and local replacement players. The BBL and WBBL Contracting Embargo Periods will lift on May 22, with the Trade Period also commencing.
The introduction of retention windows and the ability for clubs to trade draft picks will create excitement among fans and Clubs as they finalize their lists ahead of the upcoming season. Each club will be required to have at least one selection in each round of the Drafts.