What Happens if BBL 2025-26 Knockout Gets Washed Out? Rain Threat in Hobart

Rain in Hobart raised a genuine threat over the Big Bash League 2025-26 Knockout match being played between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Stars at the Bellerive Oval. The match was fixed for Wednesday night, but the conditions were far from favorable, and the rain-washout would possibly decide the fate for both teams.

What happens if the Knockout match is washed out?

Since morning, wet weather has graced Hobart, and showers are expected to visit well into the evening. An outfield that was covered is being intervened with due to rain delays. Umpires and curators will come in for a check of the ground; however, the first inspection will not be held until 8.30 PM. If rain holds, the inspection will fall into a further delay.

The main concern for the Melbourne Stars is that their season finishes here if the Knockout match gets washed out. After their finish on the fourth spot of the table, that simple explanation does serve them no good, and they would be knocked out without a ball having been played. The higher-ranked Hurricanes, on the other hand, would move forward to face the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Friday night.

Weather rules for the finals are also clear about it. To achieve an official result, the match should start by 9:40 PM local time, and both teams should bat for at least five overs. Anything less than that yields no result, and a no result means the Knockout grants advancement to the Hurricanes and elimination to the Stars. Hence every rain minute counts in Hobart.

At the moment, chances look grim for the Stars with a forecast of rain looming. On the contrary, the Hurricanes want the washout in favor of their advancement, but would rather play and gain some momentum ahead of their following game.

Both camps are awaiting a ground check and hoping for a break in the weather. Weather has previously caused problems for the BBL finals, but the stakes around the Knockout make this one pressurized.

Away from the rain, Stars' captain Marcus Stoinis spoke ahead of the match and said that teammate Glenn Maxwell will perform during the finals. It has been a difficult summer for Maxwell, but Stoinis says it is all irrelevant if he can stand up in the finals. The Stars have never won the BBL title; they need their senior players standing up to have an opportunity. The Hurricanes won their first title last season, leaving the Stars as the last standing team chasing their first trophy.

If the weather permits, the winner of the Knockout meets Sydney Sixers in Sydney on Friday, and that winner then goes to Perth on Sunday for the final. For now, all eyes are on Hobart skies as the rain holds the Knockout, with the Stars' season hanging in the balance.