Big Bash League brings big crowds back to Manuka Oval

Further easing of COVID restrictions later this month will see Manuka just a few hundred tickets short of maximum capacity - due to limitations on the hill.

The Canberra Times revealed the ACT government was planning to return seated venues to full capacity from November 26.

It's just in time for the Thunder's first BBL game at Manuka - against the Brisbane Heat on December 6.

They'll also play the Perth Scorchers on December 28.

Manuka will also host a Women's Ashes Test between Australia and England from January 27 and a Men's Twenty20 International between Australia and New Zealand on February 8.

Thunder general manager Lee Germon said tickets would go on sale in the next 10 days.

Canberra United indicated to The Canberra Times they would look to have 75 per cent capacity at Viking Park for their A-League Women season opener against Melbourne City on December 3.

That's due to a lot of the capacity taken up by hills where a one person per two square metre rule applies.

But for Manuka hill capacity is only about 700 people, which will come down to 350 due to the density limits.

Germon, who hadn't heard the news, was excited about a packed Manuka for their Canberra return.

"That's absolutely fantastic news and I wasn't aware of that so thanks," he said.

"It's great news. We know whenever we go there - and last year both [Sydney] clubs played there, the Thunder and the Sixers - we get good support and I would expect coming out of what we've all come out of over the last wee while that there'll be a real appetite to see some top-class cricket at Manuka.

"We'll be aiming to sell the ground out."

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The easing of border restrictions has come too late for the WBBL, which was currently playing games in Perth and Adelaide after starting the series in Tasmania.

While Canberra will miss out this summer, Germon was desperate to bring it back next campaign.

He said the cricket world was still thankful for the ACT helping save last year's BBL when a raft of games were shifted to Manuka due to lockdowns and border restrictions around the country.

"In a lot of ways being able to play at Manuka and Canberra really helped save the BBL competition," Germon said.

"I know everyone is really appreciative of that and the support from the fans was brilliant.

"The first game on December 6 is a rematch of the Thunder-Heat knockout game from last year.

"There's a lot of goodwill towards Canberra. We love playing there so I think that's fantastic December 6 we're going to be able to get on the field."

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