The KFC Big Bash League delivered a landmark day yesterday, smashing attendance expectations across Australia in an epic day of cricket.
A total of 105,767 fans packed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium to watch BBL|15 action, breaking a decade-long attendance record.
At the MCG, the Melbourne Renegades edged a thrilling victory, chasing down a target of 174 with just one ball to spare, giving fans one of the matches of the season.
The win made the Renegades the first team to raise the Melbourne Mace in the competition’s history, igniting the city’s rivalry.
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A crowd of 68,124 attended the Melbourne clash, marking the highest single-match attendance at the venue and a historic milestone for the league.
Over in Perth, the Scorchers defeated the Adelaide Strikers by 33 runs in front of 37,643 fans at Optus Stadium, contributing to one of the best starts to a season the BBL has seen.
Both matches combined to shatter the previous single-day attendance record set in BBL|05 a decade ago, highlighting the continued growth and popularity of the Big Bash League across the country.
BBL|15 has also seen consistently strong crowds, with total attendance across the first 23 games already the highest since BBL|07 and on track to be one of the greatest seasons attendance wise.
Smashing the attendance records is a huge win for the BBL and caps off a strong summer of cricket for Australian fans, who also witnessed the national team’s Ashes victory over England.
If current interest is any indication, this new record may not last long, with Australia set for a bumper BBL season ahead.