Explained: BBL 2025/26 Draft – Players, Date and rules revealed

Cricket Australia has unveiled the first set of nominations for the 2025-26 BBL and WBBL drafts, with Pakistan’s pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbing the spotlight. The BBL 15 draft will be held on June 19, with Brisbane Heat holding the first pick.

Over 600 overseas players have expressed interest, but only 10 men and 10 women were part of the initial draft pool. This year, Cricket Australia (CA) has advanced the draft timeline to June to give teams greater clarity in squad building. Notably, several franchises have already secured pre-signed overseas players, who must still be officially picked during the draft in accordance with their agreed salary bands.

Some of the marquee pre-signees include Jamie Overton and Laura Wolvaardt (Adelaide Strikers), Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes), Sophie Devine and Finn Allen (Perth Scorchers), and Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers). However, Hobart Hurricanes (WBBL) and Sydney Sixers (BBL) are yet to announce a pre-signed international. Hobart Hurricanes won the men’s BBL for the very first time earlier this year, while Melbourne Renegades won the tenth edition of the women’s BBL.

BBL 15 First Nominations (Men)

BBL|15 Draft Order:

1. Brisbane Heat
2. Adelaide Strikers
3. Melbourne Renegades
4. Perth Scorchers
5. Hobart Hurricanes
6. Sydney Sixers
7. Melbourne Stars
8. Sydney Thunder

WBBL 11 First Nominations (Women)

WBBL 11 Draft Order:

1. Sydney Sixers
2. Adelaide Strikers
3. Melbourne Stars
4. Perth Scorchers
5. Hobart Hurricanes
6. Sydney Thunder
7. Melbourne Renegades
8. Brisbane Heat

Each team must draft at least three overseas players, including any pre-signed players, using picks across four salary bands (Platinum to Bronze). The third round will proceed in reverse order.