Melbourne Renegades will open the Weber WBBL|12 season against Sydney Thunder at Junction Oval on Thursday, October 29, in a double-header that will also give Melbourne Stars their first home game under the venue's new lights.
The Renegades face the Thunder at 3.40pm, before the Stars play the evening match at 7.10pm, the first time Junction Oval's new lighting has been used for a WBBL fixture.
The opening day comes as Sydney Thunder confirmed they have completed their primary squad for the season, signing Western Sydney-born batter Claire Moore to round out a 15-player list.
Moore, 22, returns to the Thunder for a third WBBL campaign, having previously played for the club in WBBL|09 and for the Sydney Sixers in WBBL|07. She made her WBBL debut at 17.
"It feels like I'm back at home. I absolutely loved being with the Thunder a few years ago," Moore said.
"It brings back to being a kid and going to watch the Big Bash with my family who have always been in lime green," she said.
Moore said she was looking forward to working under new head coach Lisa Keightley and alongside teammates including Phoebe Litchfield.
"I'm looking forward to working with Lisa, Phoebe and generally everyone in this team," Moore said. "It's such a dynamic group of athletes that I think can really do some damage this season and I'm looking forward to contributing to that in any way I can."
Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said Moore's signing added depth to the squad heading into the season.
"We're really excited to welcome Claire back to the Thunder family," Copeland said. "She's a talented player who not only is strong with the bat but has got her bowling to a level where we believe she can impact a game in all facets."
Copeland said Moore's ties to the club made the signing significant.
"What makes this signing even more special is her connection to Western Sydney and the Thunder," he said. "She grew up supporting this club, and to now have the opportunity to represent it again is a fantastic story."
Sydney Thunder's WBBL|12 squad also includes Jemma Barsby, Sam Bates, Lauren Bell, Hannah Darlington, Nadine de Klerk, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Georgia Voll and Tahlia Wilson, alongside Litchfield and Moore.
After the Melbourne opener, the Thunder host their first home game at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday, November 1 against Brisbane Heat, before facing Perth Scorchers at the same venue on Thursday, November 5.
The Thunder will also host Melbourne Stars at Drummoyne Oval on Monday, November 16, and Sydney Sixers on Saturday, November 28, both starting at 7.10pm AEDT.
The 2026-27 Weber WBBL season runs from October 29 to December 5, with Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars both opening their campaigns at Junction Oval.