Indies and Holdcos Set to Go Head to Head in UnLtd's Big Clash Cricket Tournament

The advertising industry’s fiercest rivalry is stepping up to the crease, with UnLtd’s Big Clash industry cricket tournament returning in 2026 for its most competitive season yet.

This year, the contest sharpens as agency teams are split into indies and holdcos, setting the stage for an all-out battle for industry bragging rights. Expect egos tested, rivalries reignited, and plenty of bold stroke-play as teams go head-to-head in the ultimate clash of bat, ball, and big opinions.

Now a fixture on the industry calendar, Big Clash brings together agencies, media owners, and tech partners to bat and bowl for good, raising vital funds for UnLtd and its work supporting charities that help at-risk young people thrive.

The tournament sees traditional competitors briefly putting rivalries aside, with companies like QMS, oOh!media, and JCDecaux teaming up for the media owners team. They will unite in their ambition to take on tech, indie agencies and holdco agencies in a fast-paced day of cricket, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.

The opening fixture will be held in Melbourne on February 12th, with familiar leaders returning to the field. Tim Murphy will once again captain the men’s media owners team, alongside George Hurley-Wellington for the men’s tech team, Joe Frazer for the indies, and James Betlehem for the holdcos.

In the women’s match-up, Sophie Batten returns to captain the agencies team with Alana Zanardo leading the media owners. The official umpires, Nick Swifte and Nick Brignell will be keeping a sharp eye on proceedings to make sure everyone plays straight.

The action then shifts north to Big Clash Sydney on February 26th, hosted at a new venue in Vaucluse. Women’s captains include Kellyn Coetzee for holdcos, Simone Donovan for media owners, Kathryn Furnari for indies, and Fi Roberts for tech. The men’s teams will be led by Dan Sinfield for media owners, Matthew Coote for tech, Ben McCallum for indies, and Alex Williams for holdcos.

Ben McCallum, CEO of Cummins & Partners and captain for the Indies team, said, “A clash between the independent agencies and the holdcos has been brewing for some time and no better place to settle this than at the Big Clash.

"Proud to be coming out of retirement to lead the indie team onto the field. We know we will likely be facing a state-of-the-art AI bowling attack, however the chance of it being operational on the day is unlikely. Experience, talent, and strategy will win through.”

Media owners men’s captain Tim Murphy was equally confident ahead of the first ball.

“We didn’t quite get the result we wanted last year, so there’s definitely a bit of unfinished business for the media owners team. But that’s all part of the fun — Big Clash is just as much about getting the industry together, catching up with familiar faces, and enjoying a great day out as it is about winning. That said, we’d very much like to be returning to victory this time around.”

Following Melbourne and Sydney, the Big Clash will continue in Brisbane on March 12th  and Adelaide on March 26th.

The tournament is proudly sponsored by MiQ, News Australia, Seven, and QMS, and is open to players of all abilities — from first-timers picking up a bat to seasoned campaigners who still know how to find the boundary.

With sponsor activations, music, food, and drinks alongside the on-field action, Big Clash promises a high-energy start to the year for players and spectators alike

To get involved, contact events@unltd.org.au.