Cricket fans, mark your calendars, the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia is set to deliver drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments across five classic venues. Whether you’re planning to travel or simply follow from afar, knowing the schedule and where the action unfolds is essential. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ashes 2025-26 schedule, including when and where the action happens.
The Ashes Return Down Under
After England hosted the 2023 edition, Australia will stage the Ashes in 2025-26. The series kicks off in November 2025 and runs into January 2026. The full timeline was officially announced by the ECB and Cricket Australia.
Here’s the confirmed schedule:
| Test | Venue | Dates |
| 1st Test | Perth Stadium, Perth | Nov 21 – 25, 2025 |
| 2nd Test (Day/Night) | The Gabba, Brisbane | Dec 4 – 8, 2025 |
| 3rd Test | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Dec 17 – 21, 2025 |
| 4th Test | MCG, Melbourne | Dec 26 – 30, 2025 |
| 5th Test | SCG, Sydney | Jan 4 – 8, 2026 |
What Makes This Schedule Special
1. A New Opening Venue
For the first time in over four decades, the Ashes won’t begin at Brisbane’s Gabba. Instead, the series kicks off in Perth at the state-of-the-art Perth Stadium.
This change shakes up tradition and offers a fresh start to the series.
2. A Day/Night Test Under Lights
The 2nd Test in Brisbane (The Gabba) is scheduled as a day/night Test, the kind of match that adds tactical nuance, swings in light conditions, and a different mindset for teams.
3. Traditional Big Moments Still Held Sacred
The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne (MCG) is a fixture in its own right with huge crowds and huge expectations.
The New Year’s Test at the SCG is the dramatic conclusion, with everything on the line in Sydney.
4. Compact But Intense Timing
The entire series runs in just over seven weeks from November 21, 2025 to January 8, 2026. That means momentum, form, injuries, and squad depth will all be under scrutiny.
What to Watch For
- Opening Test in unfamiliar conditions – Perth’s surfaces can be fast and bouncy; how England adapt may set the tone.
- The pink ball experiment in Brisbane – Night conditions, dew, visibility changes; it’s a wild card.
- Middle Tests as pressure points – Adelaide is known for its balanced pitch; teams will want control.
- Boxing Day showdown – Expectation, tradition, and a huge home crowd make it a stage every player dreams of.
- Deciding Test in Sydney – Often the site of drama or heartbreak, and this time it could decide the series.
Planning Around the Schedule
- Book early: With multiple venues and changing formats, tickets and hospitality will move quickly.
- Watch logistics: Distances between cities are vast so plan flights and rest days carefully.
- Expect varying conditions: Be ready for hot sun (Perth), humid nights (Brisbane), and coastal winds (Sydney).
- Mix your experiences: Try to catch a day Test and a night Test to appreciate both styles.
The Ashes 2025-26 schedule delivers a blend of innovation and tradition from starting in Perth to the ever-exciting Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests. With historic grounds like MCG and Adelaide in play, and a new twist with day/night cricket, fans are in for a memorable series.
If you’re thinking of attending, following, or planning cricket hospitality experiences, knowing the schedule and the key stakes at each venue will help you get the most out of what promises to be one of cricket’s greatest battles.
From the roar of the crowd to the comfort of VIP luxury, we’ll take care of every detail. Contact Impulse Decisions today and make your next sporting experience unforgettable.