The Big Bash League (BBL) has become one of global cricket’s most fascinating T20 events. Since its start in 2011-12, the Australian domestic league has become a global spectacle. It is well-known for its crowded stadiums, spectacular hits, and some of the finest short-format cricket ever seen. Many memorable occurrences have occurred during the BBL’s history. BBL teams are located across major cities in Australia, which allows the competition to develop local talent.
Over the years, the tournament has had a rich history, and in 2024/25, another chapter was added to the league’s history. For the first time, the Hobart Hurricanes became the champions of the BBL. Hobart Hurricanes twice came close to winning the title in the 2013/14 season and the 2017/18 season, but failed to win it. The 2025–26 BBL season, which will start on December 14, 2025, promises more exciting rivalries and memorable performances as fans anticipate it.
BBL Winners List From 2011 to 2025
Since its start, the Big Bash League (BBL) has seen several teams win throughout the years. Perth Scorchers is one of the most successful teams in BBL league history. For a record five occasions, the Scorchers have taken home the trophy. The Brisbane Heat has won the competition twice. The Sydney Sixers have also won the championship three times. Furthermore, they were the winners of the BBL’s first tournament.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers |
| 2012-13 | Brisbane Heat | Perth Scorchers |
| 2013-14 | Perth Scorchers | Hobart Hurricanes |
| 2014-15 | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers |
| 2015-16 | Sydney Thunder | Melbourne Stars |
| 2016-17 | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers |
| 2017-18 | Adelaide Strikers | Hobart Hurricanes |
| 2018-19 | Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne Stars |
| 2019-20 | Sydney Sixers | Melbourne Stars |
| 2020-21 | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers |
| 2021-22 | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers |
| 2022-23 | Perth Scorchers | Brisbane Heat |
| 2023-24 | Brisbane Heat | Sydney Sixers |
| 2024-25 | Hobart Hurricanes | Sydney Thunder |
2011–12: Sydney Sixers
The 2011–12 Big Bash League season was the inaugural season of the Big Bash League, Australia’s top-class franchise Twenty20 cricket competition. The tournament was won by the Sydney Sixers, who defeated Perth Scorchers in the final at the WACA Ground on 28 January 2012. Perth Scorchers won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the decision to bat first did not go well for the Perth Scorchers. The team got off to a poor start until Mitchell Marsh came to bat. Marsh took the game in his hand with his aggressive batting style. Marsh went on to score 77 runs and remained unbeaten till the end of the innings. Perth Scorchers managed to score 156 runs on the scoreboard.
In reply to chase the target, Sydney Sixers ‘ opening batters Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe took control of the innings as they shared a 110-run stand for the first wicket. Steven Smith hit the winning runs in the final of the first BBL and made the Sydney Sixers the first winners of the BBL.
2012–13: Brisbane Heat
Again, Perth Scorchers made it into the final of the BBL, but this time their opponent was different. This time, Perth Scorchers were facing Brisbane Heat in the final of the 2012/13 BBL season. Brisbane Heat won the toss and selected to bat first. Brisbane Heat managed to score 167 on the scoreboard. In reply to the target, the top order failed to get runs in the power play overs.
However, Adam Voges managed to take control of the game but failed as it was too late for Perth Scorchers. Perth Scorchers scored only 133 runs, and Brisbane Heat won the game by 34 runs.
2013–14: Perth Scorchers
For the third consecutive time, Perth Scorchers made it into the final of the BBL. This time, the ending for the Perth Scorchers was different. Winning the toss, the Perth Scorchers elected to bat first. The team led by Simon Katich got off to a good start this time as Shaun Marsh led the team to a fighting total of 191 runs.
Facing Hobart Hurricanes new opponent in the BBL final, the Perth Scorchers’ attack was ready to win the title after failing twice. Chasing the 191 target, Hobart Hurricanes fell for 152 runs and Perth Scorchers claimed the first title in the BBL. Perth Scorchers won the game by 39 runs.
2014–15: Perth Scorchers
The BBL 2014–15 season saw the Perth Scorchers win their second BBL game. Under Moises Henriques’ leadership, the Sixers amassed 147/5, with Henriques scoring an important 77 runs. Adam Voges’s Scorchers responded by chasing down the goal in the last over, reaching 148/6.
The Scorchers’ key players, Yasir Arafat and Michael Carberry, were instrumental in ensuring the win. The Perth Scorchers won the BBL for the second time in a row with a four-wicket victory.
2015–16: Sydney Thunder
In the BBL 2015/16 season, Sydney Thunder reached the final for the first time in league history. Sydney Thunder faced Melbourne Stars in the BBL finals. Sending Melbourne Stars to bat first, Kevin Pietersen was the standout player for Melbourne Stars as he scored 74 runs and helped Melbourne Stars reach a total of 176 runs.
As a result, Michael Hussey led the Thunder to 181/7, chasing down the target with three balls to spare. Marcus Stoinis claimed three wickets for the Stars, while Usman Khawaja was crucial for the Thunder, hitting 70 runs off 40 balls. The Sydney Thunder won their first BBL title with a three-wicket victory of three wickets.
2016–17: Perth Scorchers
This was the third time Perth Scorchers faced Sydney Sixers in the finals of the BBL. Perth Scorchers invited Sydney Sixers to bat first. Going to bat first, the Sixers managed to put only 141 runs on the scoreboard. Jhye Ricardson picked three wickets for the Scorchers.
Perth Scorchers got off to a brilliant start as Michael Klinger scored 71 runs and remained not out, helping his team to win the final by nine wickets. This helped Perth Scorchers to win their third title in BBL history. Perth Scorchers also became the first team in BBL history to win three BBL titles.
2017–18: Adelaide Strikers
In the Big Bash League 2017–18 season final match, the Adelaide Strikers took on the Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval. Under Travis Head’s leadership, the Strikers amassed a commanding 202/2, with Jake Weatherald scoring an incredible 115 from 70 balls.
With a total of 177/5, the Hurricanes, led by George Bailey, were 25 runs short. Among the Hurricanes’ key performers was D’Arcy Short, who scored 68 runs. The Adelaide Strikers’ decisive win earned them their first BBL championship.
2018–19: Melbourne Renegades
At Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars squared off in the Big Bash League 2018–19 season final. Under Aaron Finch’s leadership, the Renegades scored 145/5, with Dan Christian and Tom Cooper making significant contributions.
The Stars, led by Moises Henriques, lost by 13 runs after managing just 132/7. Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis were two important Stars players who put up a strong fight but were unable to seal the victory. The Melbourne Renegades won their first-ever BBL championship in this match.
2019–20: Sydney Sixers
At the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars squared off in the Big Bash League 2019–20 season finale. The game was shortened to 12 overs each side due to the rain. Under Moises Henriques’ leadership, the Sixers amassed 116/5, with Josh Philippe scoring 52 off 29 balls.
Nick Larkin scored 38 runs while the Stars, headed by Glenn Maxwell, managed just 97/6. Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon were two of the Sixers’ key bowlers, each taking two wickets. With a victory of 19 runs, the Sydney Sixers won their second BBL championship.
2020–21: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney hosted the Big Bash League 2020–21 season final between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers. Under Moises Henriques’ leadership, the Sixers amassed a solid 188/6, with James Vince scoring an incredible 95 runs off 60 balls.
Ashton Turner led the Scorchers to a score of 161/9 in their 20 overs. Jhye Richardson, who claimed two wickets, and Liam Livingstone, who scored 45 runs, were important players of the Scorchers. With a winning margin of 27 runs, the Sydney Sixers won their third BBL championship. Sydney Sixers become the second team to win back-to-back titles in the BBL.
2021–22: Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers met the Sydney Sixers in the final of the Big Bash League 2021-22 season at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. The Scorchers, captained by Ashton Turner, scored 171 runs as Laurie Evans scored an unbeaten knock of 76 runs and Turner added 54 runs.
In reply to the target set by the Scorchers, the Sydney Sixers were bowled out for 92 runs. Sydney Sixers batters looked clueless as Andrew Tye picked three wickets and gave 15 runs in three overs. The Perth Scorchers won by 79 runs, earning their fourth BBL title.
2022–23: Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers again made it to the final of the BBL in the 2022/23 season. This time, they faced the Brisbane Heat. Batting first, the Heat scored 175 runs for the loss of seven wickets. As the chase started for the Scorchers, Aston Turner, the captain of the team, played an important role.
Aston Turner scored a 53-run knock in the final and helped Perth Scorchers to win their fifth title. Perth Scorchers have also become the most successful in the BBL. Perth Scorchers from BBL, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings from IPL are the only teams to win 5 trophies.
2023–24: Brisbane Heat
Brisbane Heat face Sydney Sixers in the final of the 2023/24 BBL season. Sydney Sixers won the toss and invited Brisbane Heat to bat first. In the BBL final, Brisbane Heat posted 166 runs as Josh Brown scored 53 runs and helped the team to put on a fighting total.
However, the Sydney Sixers’ innings was wrapped up for 112 runs as the Heat won the game by 54 runs. Sixers batters had no answer for Spencer Johnson, who picked four wickets and led his team to win the second title.
2024–25: Hobart Hurricanes
Hobart Hurricanes faced the Sydney Thunder in the finals of the BBL 2024/25 season. Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and put Thunder to bat first. Both openers from Thunder gave the team a good start as they shared a 97-run partnership for the first wicket. By the end of the first innings, Thunder had put on 182 runs to chase.
Mitchell Owen set the tone for Hobart Hurricanes as he went on to score 108 runs in the chase. His knock helped the team to win their first title since the BBL started. Mitchell Owen also scored the fastest century in BBL history.
Most Successful Teams of BBL
The Sydney Sixers won the title in the first edition in 2011–12, while the Perth Scorchers came in second. However, later Perth Scorchers went on to win the BBL title five times, making them the most successful team over the years. Meanwhile, the Sydney Sixers also won the title three times, while the Brisbane Heat have won the title twice.
Conclusion
This famous T20 tournament, the Big Bash League, has seen some of its top teams emerge as winners. The most successful team, the Perth Scorchers, who have won the trophy five times, is the finest example. It has also been claimed by the Sixers three times. Some teams are still aiming for a champion reputation, though. Since its launch in 2011, this competition has only become bigger. As previously shown, some teams still require the champion tag, while numerous teams have won the trophy more than once.
Its exciting format and passionate fan base are responsible for the Big Bash League’s rise from its modest origins to its current position as a worldwide sensation. Every winner has inspired next generations of cricket players and spectators by leaving an enduring impression on the league’s history.