The Big Bash League (BBL) is one of cricket’s biggest tournaments. The BBL has been in action since 2011 and has become one of the world’s premier events, with fast-paced games being played across Australia.

It’s a T20 competition that follows a league format before moving into a playoff-style event. Due to its format, it attracts many of the best players mixed with some superstar talent that is starting to emerge in the game.

Eight teams will compete for the title, but which of them will be crowned the 2024-25 Big Bash League champion?

When will the 2024-25 Big Bash League Happen?

For fans of the sport, they’ll know that it arguably comes at the best time of the year: Christmas. As it is played in Australia, it is the summer season Down Under, making it the perfect time to play cricket as there are limited chances in which it may get called off.

Indeed, this year’s tournament has been scheduled to take place between December 15, 2024, and January 27, 2025, giving fans just over a month of high-octane action where sixes should reign galore with the talent that is on the field for each game.

What teams are involved in the 2024-25 Big Bash League?

This year’s tournament – as like every other – will feature a total of eight teams that will compete for the title and hope to come out of the league stage and play in the playoffs.

The eight teams that are involved are:

  • Adelaide Strikers
  • Brisbane Heat
  • Hobart Hurricanes
  • Melbourne Renegades
  • Melbourne Stars
  • Perth Scorchers
  • Sydney Sixers
  • Sydney Thunder

A total of 44 matches will be played across the six weeks of BBL action, with each team to face each other once in the league. The teams to finish between first and fourth will then advance to the playoffs.

The teams that finish top and second will face off against each other in the ‘Qualifier’ for the right to play in the final. The loser will then play the winner of the game between third and fourth. The winner of this game – known as the ‘Challenger’ – will then advance to the final on January 27, 2025.

Which teams are the main contenders for the 2024-25 BBL?

With cricket betting being a hugely popular pastime for Australians, it’s no surprise that there are many odds available for the upcoming BBL competition.

Unibet, a leading sportsbook, has already listed their prices ahead of the tournament’s start, and have listed the Perth Scorchers as the main favorites. They are priced at 4.50 to win, with odds of 1.35 to finish in the top four for those who want something a little different.

The Sydney Sixers are priced at 5.50 to make them the second favorites, while the current champions Brisbane Heat are 6.00. Hobart Hurricanes are the next likely to compete for the title, but they are valued at 7.50, suggesting they are outsiders.

Why are the Scorchers the favorites for the 2024-25 Big Bash League title?

The Perth Scorchers are the most successful team in Big Bash history. They have won the competition on five occasions, having reached the final eight times.

The last time they appeared in the final was in 2023 when they defeated the Brisbane Heat by five wickets, with Ashton Turner scoring 53 as they chased down 175 in 19.2 overs. They won at home in a day/night game.

Turner will return this year as the team’s captain once again and will be coached by Adam Voges as they look to win their sixth. In addition, they will have specialist T20 players on their team, with the likes of Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh and Keaton Jennings among them all looking to score big runs or take vital wickets throughout the games that they play in.

Could the Heat challenge the Scorchers?

The Brisbane Heat are among one of the teams that many consider as a side that has a very good chance of winning the competition.

They may have only won two titles in their history, but they’ve managed to reach the final in back-to-back seasons. They were defeated just once last season when they captured the title. However, that was a 35-run defeat to the Scorchers in match 35 when they were skittled out for 128.

Nonetheless, they will feel that they can be in contention to retain their title, as they have the likes of Usman Khawaja, who is extremely experienced and leads the team.