Cricket Australia has announced that top-flight domestic cricket will return to January 26, the nation's Australia Day, after a two-year hiatus. The 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) final is set to take place on the public holiday, marking a significant reversal of the organization's recent policy.
However, the inclusion of the national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair," at the BBL final remains uncertain. BBL general manager Alistair Dobson indicated that the anthem is unlikely to be played unless specifically requested by the host city. He noted that BBL finals have not historically featured extensive pre-game ceremonies or anthems, a tradition that is expected to continue.
This decision follows a period of controversy and criticism from players, politicians, and fans regarding Cricket Australia's previous stance on Australia Day fixtures. In January 2024, then-chief executive Nick Hockley defended the decision not to use the words "Australia Day" during a Test match, stating the organization was mindful that the day holds different meanings for various groups of people.
Dobson emphasized that January 26 was chosen for the final as it falls shortly after the international Test series between Australia and India. Cricket Australia plans to consult with its National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee and the selected host club to determine how the day will be acknowledged.
"We acknowledge that January 26 means different things to different people," Dobson said. "We'll work closely with the advisory committee and the host club around how we recognise that day."
The shift in policy echoes a promise made by former Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg, who had previously stated that cricket would be played on Australia Day while also acknowledging its varied significance. "Oh, no, we will be celebrating it, absolutely," Greenberg had told 2GB. "For those who want to celebrate it, they are more than welcome to – and a day at the cricket is probably the best way to do it."
The return of elite cricket to January 26 aims to balance the celebration of the national day with sensitivity to its complex meaning for all Australians. The BBL's decision to schedule its final on this date follows previous years where major domestic matches were intentionally avoided on January 26, a move that had drawn considerable public debate.