Perth to host opening Test of 2025-26 Ashes series

WELLINGTON: Perth will stage the first Test in the 2025-26 Ashes, it was announced Wednesday, ending Brisbane’s almost 40-year run of hosting of the opener of the Australia-England series.

England’s bid to win back the historic Ashes urn will begin at Perth Stadium on November 21, 2025, with the second day-night Test to be played at Brisbane’s Gabba, Cricket Australia said. A pre-Christmas Test will be in Adelaide, before the traditional Boxing Day encounter in Melbourne and the new year match in Sydney.

It will be the first time an Ashes Test, has been staged at the new Perth venue which replaced the old WACA ground, last used in 2017. Perth Stadium will become the eighth Australian venue to stage an Ashes Test in a rivalry that dates back to 1882.

CA executive general manager of events and operations, Joel Morrison, said the schedule had been released early after being “inundated” by vast numbers of travelling supporters wanting to book travel and accommodation.

Match schedule for the 2025/26 Ashes:

• First Test, Perth: November 21-25, 2025
• Second Test, Brisbane (day/night): December 4-8
• Third Test, Adelaide: December 17-21
• Fourth Test, Melbourne: December 26-30
• Fifth Test, Sydney: January 4-8, 2026