BBL pushed back to December 10 as fixture list is confirmed

Tasmania and Canberra will host the first 21 matches, with venues for the remaining matches yet to be confirmed

• Big Bash fixtures 2020-21: Full BBL schedule, matches dates

Cricket Australia have unveiled the fixture list for the 10th edition of the men's Big Bash League.

Due to get underway on December 10 - a week later than originally scheduled, the final remains on February 6.

All eight sides will be based in Tasmania and Canberra for at least the first 21 matches of the campaign.

Venues until the end of the year have been confirmed, with CA hopeful that the easing of national coronavirus restrictions in 2021 will allow the competition to move around the country.

The delayed start gives players extra time to arrive in Australia and undergo the required 14-day quarantine period.

The opening game sees Sydney Sixers get the defence of their title underway against Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval before Melbourne Stars face Brisbane Heat 24 hours later at Manuka Oval.

Big Bash squads 2020-21

The University of Tasmania Stadium and The Gabba will also be used for the opening batch of matches.

Queensland and South Australia are braced to host games in the New Year once borders are reopened 

The group stage ends with a triple-header on January 26, before the knock-out stage takes place between January 29 and February 4.

CA's Big Bash chief Alistair Dobson said: "We are working through scenarios for the 35 regular season matches and finals series to be played in the new year with our partners and government bodies.

"An announcement on these venues will be made in the coming weeks.

"This is, without doubt, the most complex fixturing task ever undertaken by the league and we are excited with where it has landed."