Thunder Nation breaks records in WBBL|11 & BBL|15

Despite a disappointing on-field campaign, the Western Sydney community stood by the lime green highlighted by a sold-out Sydney Smash at ENGIE Stadium with 20,568 in attendance. 

Thunder also recorded their highest-attended non-Sydney Smash matches at ENGIE Stadium in seven seasons, with 15,020 fans turning out on December 30 against the Perth Scorchers and a further 14,466 attending on January 3 against the Hobart Hurricanes – both eclipsing the previous record.

A true show of faith from the Thunder Nation saw the club post an average home attendance of 13,436 across five matches – their highest in eight seasons – contributing to a total BBL attendance of 67,182 (58,178 at ENGIE Stadium alone).

TV audiences for Thunder matches across both the men’s and women’s competitions saw significant growth this season. Average viewership for Thunder home and away fixtures during WBBL|11 jumped by a massive 59% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the men’s season was up 6% with Friday night’s BBL Sydney Smash drawing an audience of 1.05 million – the most-watched Smash since BBL|07.

The momentum continued off the field, Thunder broke new ground on December 30 when ENGIE Stadium lit up with PixMob LED wristbands at the second-annual Wrap Party, delivering the KFC Big Bash League’s first stadium‑wide light show and giving Thunder Nation the chance to be part of an end‑of‑year celebration. Click here to see the Wrap Party show.

Thunder also partnered with charity organisation Plate It Forward, which donated a meal for every run scored at ENGIE Stadium - adding up to 627 meals for people doing it tough across Western Sydney.

The Thunder Super Clinics saw nearly 400 kids alongside stars like David Warner, Shadab Khan and Sam Konstas in three locations across Camden, Glenwood and Marrickville. Other events included a Fan Day with more than 600 attendees, 140 competitors in the Adult Tape Ball Thunder Nation Cup and 40 young talents at the Spin Bowling Masterclass.

The WBBL calendar also featured the inaugural ‘A Night With Chamari’ event, which drew 120 guests and added another highlight to a standout community program. Fans also enjoyed a Cricket & Culture Festival before the Sydney Smash at Drummoyne Oval, which included cultural food and drink options, performances, mascots, inflatables and more. 

Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said:

“It’s no secret how disappointing this season was for us. Not making the finals in both BBL and WBBL is never acceptable, and we’re assessing these areas to ensure we come out better than ever next season.

“But the support that has been shown to us this season has been incredible. The Thunder Nation stuck by us through the thick of it and helped us record some of our biggest crowd attendances in years.

“To all our members, fans and sponsors, especially Homestar - on behalf of all our staff, players and coaches, thank you. We are deeply grateful for the support shown – we can’t wait to be back and see you at ENGIE Stadium, Corroboree Group Manuka Oval and Drummoyne Oval next season.”