This is the first of 14 fixtures announced on Wednesday for the Thunder, who were coincidentally knocked out of contention last season by the Heat.

Following their season opener, the Ulladulla High School alumnus and his Thunder will play a double-header against the Melbourne Stars on December 10 (MCG) and 12 (Sydney Showground Stadium) before again facing the Heat - this time at the Gabba on December 19.

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They then host cross-town rivals the Sixers in the first Sydney Smash of the season on Boxing Day.

This will be followed by games against the Perth Scorchers (December 28 at Manuka Oval), Adelaide Strikers (December 31 at Adelaide Oval), Strikers (January 2 at Sydney Showground), Scorchers (January 5 at Optus Stadium), Melbourne Renegades (January 8 at Marvel Stadium), Hobart Hurricanes (January 10 at UTAS Stadium), Hurricanes (January 13 at Sydney Showground), Sixers (January 15 at SCG) and Renegades (January 19 at Sydney Showground) - before finals start Friday, January 21.

These fixtures were announced as the BBL signalled its intention to return to a full 61-game home and away schedule culminating with the final on Friday, January 28 - ensuring an action-packed ending to the school holidays.

Incoming Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss hopes the announcement will brighten the spirits of cricket fans during this challenging time.

"Things are tough for a lot of people at the moment but hopefully this fixture announcement gives our fans something to look forward to," Bayliss said.

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"The players are back in training and now we have a day to look forward to for our BBL season to start.

"I hope that the Thunder nation fans are as excited for the season as I am.

"As a team, we are really looking forward to coming back to our spiritual home at Sydney Showground Stadium, as well as playing a few games at our second home in Canberra."