Honestly, if you aren't around Melbourne when the Big Bash is in full swing, you're missing out on a specific kind of chaos. The Melbourne Stars vs Renegades rivalry isn't just about cricket. It’s about which side of the city you claim and, more importantly, whether you prefer your summer in neon green or bold red.
For years, the "Melbourne Derby" has been the heartbeat of the BBL. People still talk about Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels having that absolute blow-up back in the day. Fast forward to January 2026, and the intensity hasn't dropped an inch. In fact, with the introduction of the "Melbourne Mace" this season—a 1.4-metre trophy that literally lights up in the winning team's colors—the stakes feel kinda ridiculous.
The 2026 Shift: Sam Harper’s Revenge and the Power Balance
The most recent clash on January 10, 2026, at Marvel Stadium was a statement. If you caught the game, you saw the Melbourne Stars vs Renegades dynamic flip on its head compared to their earlier meeting in the month.
The Renegades had snatched a thriller on January 4 at the MCG, winning by four wickets on the second-to-last ball. It was one of those nights where the Gades' fans were insufferable. Skipper Will Sutherland smoked a six off Marcus Stoinis in the final over to seal it. But the return leg? Total demolition.
Sam Harper, who’s basically playing like a man possessed this season, haunted his former team. He’s the BBL’s leading run-scorer for a reason. He stayed still, watched the ball, and hammered an unbeaten 84 from 51 balls.
Tom Rogers was equally terrifying. He reached his fifty in just 19 balls—the second-fastest in Stars history. Together, they made a 167-run chase look like a Sunday league warm-up. The Stars won by eight wickets with 25 balls to spare. It wasn't just a win; it was a "get back in your box" performance.
👉 See also: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
By The Numbers: Who Actually Owns Melbourne?
If we look at the historical data, the Stars usually have the wood over the Renegades. Before the 2025/26 season kicked off, the head-to-head record stood at 19 wins for the Stars and 11 for the Renegades.
- Total Matches Played: 32 (as of mid-January 2026)
- Stars Victories: 20
- Renegades Victories: 12
It’s weird, though. Despite the Stars having more wins, the Renegades have that 2018/19 trophy in the cabinet. Stars fans are still traumatized by that final where they collapsed and basically handed the title to the Gades. Every time these two meet, that ghost is in the stadium.
What Makes the Melbourne Stars vs Renegades Rivalry Tick?
It’s the recruitment. Both teams constantly poach from each other, which adds this layer of "ex-boyfriend energy" to every match.
Sam Harper going from Red to Green is the big story this year. Then you have the Pakistani influence. Seeing Mohammad Rizwan in Renegades red facing off against Haris Rauf’s express pace in Stars green is peak T20 entertainment. Rauf actually reached his 50th BBL wicket during the January 10 derby by dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Fraser-McGurk is the X-factor everyone watches, but honestly, he’s been a bit quiet this summer. He even hit the roof at Marvel Stadium in the last game—which is a dead ball unless it's headed for a six—and it just sort of summed up the Renegades' luck lately.
✨ Don't miss: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
The Tactical Breakdown
When these teams play, the toss is massive. In Melbourne, especially at Marvel with the roof shut, chasing has historically been the play. But look at what happened to the Renegades recently. They put up 166, which felt "okay," but against a Stars top order featuring Harper and Maxwell, you need 190+.
Marcus Stoinis has reinvented himself as a death-bowling specialist. His 3-33 in the last derby kept the Renegades from exploding in the Power Surge. On the flip side, the Renegades' bowling looked toothless without a big total to defend. Jason Behrendorff and Gurinder Sandhu are quality, but when Tom Rogers is hitting 50 off 19, there’s not much a captain can do but watch the ball fly into the second tier.
Reality Check: The 2026 Table
As we sit here in mid-January, the two teams are headed in opposite directions.
The Stars are sitting pretty in second place on the ladder, just behind the Hobart Hurricanes. They’ve got momentum, a firing top order, and a bowling attack that’s finally clicking.
The Renegades? It’s grim. After losing the return derby, they slumped to a loss against the Adelaide Strikers on January 17, getting rolled for just 99. They’re officially out of the finals race.
🔗 Read more: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
- Melbourne Stars: 5 wins, 3 losses (2nd place)
- Melbourne Renegades: 3 wins, 7 losses (7th place)
It sucks for the Gades because they have the talent. Josh Brown has been a lonely shining light, scoring 80 in the derby and sitting near the top of the run charts. But you can't win a derby with one guy batting.
How to Get the Most Out of the Next Derby
If you're planning to attend a Melbourne Stars vs Renegades match in the future, here is the "insider" way to do it:
- Pick the MCG for Atmosphere: The crowd of 80,000+ back in 2016 is still the record, but even a 40k crowd at the 'G feels electric.
- Pick Marvel for the Show: The pyrotechnics and the "closed-roof" noise make it feel like a gladiatorial pit.
- Watch the Warm-ups: Haris Rauf and Marcus Stoinis usually put on a show just with their pre-game routines.
- Follow the Mace: Check the sidelines. The "Melbourne Mace" is literally run onto the pitch the second the game ends. It's a bit gimmicky, sure, but in a city that loves trophies, it matters.
The best way to stay updated is to keep an eye on the official Big Bash app for real-time player movements. The 2026 season has proven that form is temporary, but derby drama is permanent.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to dive deeper into the stats, check the historical "Powerplay" records between these two. The Stars have consistently outscored the Gades in the first four overs over the last three seasons, which is usually where the game is won or lost. You can also look into the individual player "player of the match" counts—Sam Harper is currently leading the pack for the 2025/26 season.