[1] Along with the Sydney Thunder, the Sixers are the successors of the New South Wales Blues who played in the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.

After finishing third in the regular season games, the Sixers defeated the Hobart Hurricanes in the semi-final at Bellerive Oval.

It is believed that this move was to align its structure with that of India and South Africa, where their domestic teams are based around cities.

The Sixers then lost on the road to the Melbourne Renegades before picking up away wins against Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers.

After losing a couple of early wickets, Steve Smith smacked a quickfire 51 before the Sixers lost 5/8 in the final two overs to be bowled out for 176.

A good spell of bowling from Brett Lee (2/22) and Ian Moran at the death ensured the Sixers would reach the final.

The Sixers went on to win the inaugural 2011–12 Big Bash League (BBL), defeating the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground.

In what was effectively a very good regular season (only losing one of eight games) and coming second on the ladder the Sixers were left to rue what might have been as they were once again beaten by the Perth Scorchers in the semi-finals.

The Sixers put their BBL03 campaign behind them, signing some new faces whilst retaining the more experienced core group of players.

Some early wickets made it hard going for the Sixers with skipper Moises Henriques scoring a well-made 77 (before being run-out on the final delivery).

Still requiring one more run, with Lee on a hat-trick, Yasir Arafat was able to flick the ball off his pads and the batsmen were able to scamper through for a single after the throw to the bowler's end was too hard for Henriques to catch and effect the run-out which would have brought the game to a Super Over.

The Sixers travelled to Perth for the Big Final after the first-placed Scorchers defeated the Melbourne Stars in their semi-final.

However, the Sydney Sixers fell short at the last hurdle, losing the Big Bash League final to the Scorchers by nine wickets at the WACA Ground.

While a spokesperson from Cricket NSW alluded that the team's colours may have some connection with the "Pink dollar" and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, pink was ultimately chosen for reasons more related to McGrath Foundation, and to create a "really rock star, high-profile cricket team".

[14] The Sixers set a new domestic crowd record for cricket in New South Wales when 39,756 people attended the Sydney Smash on 14 January 2017.

[38] [39] The current administration and support staff of the Sydney Sixers for the 2024–25 Big Bash League season as of 23 June 2024.