The schedule for the much-anticipated 2025/26 Men’s Ashes series ‘Down Under’ has today been confirmed, with the dates and venue for each Test match now finalised.
Cricket fans worldwide can start marking their calendars, with the historic rivalry between England and Australia set to take centre stage between November 2024 and January 2025. Three Lions supporters will be back in Australia for the first time in eight years, with the previous series Down Under played without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
England hosted the 2023 series, meaning Australia will now have the home advantage, where they have historically been strong contenders. However, with England’s recent resurgence in form, fans can expect a closely fought series.
Below are the confirmed dates and venues for the 25/26 Ashes series:
First Test, Optus Stadium in Perth: 21-25 November
Second Test, Gabba in Brisbane: 4-8 December
Third Test, Adelaide Oval in Adelaide: 17-21 December
Fourth Test, MCG in Melbourne: 26-30 December
Fifth Test, SCG in Sydney: 4-8 January
Perth will host the opening Test match at the award-winning Optus Stadium. It will be the first time the impressive ground has hosted an Ashes test, and means England can avoid having to visit the infamous ‘Gabbatoir’ to start the series – as has often been the case in previous Ashes series.
The second Test match will take place in Brisbane. The Gabba hosted its first Ashes Test match in 1936, and since then, it has become an integral venue in the series – often hosting the series opener. The cauldron of 36,000 fans is a test of nerve for every player.
Adelaide – the birthplace of the Barmy Army – is the third venue. In 1994, a group of backpackers descended on the Adelaide Oval in front of the iconic scoreboard and began singing songs to support the England team. The press branded them the ‘Barmy Army’ for their unbounded support and the rest as they say his history. It also is the most picturesque ground in the world and the town itself lives and breathes cricket.
Melbourne‘s MCG will, as expected, host the Boxing Day Test. Few sporting venues in the world change you, but a day at the MCG will get underneath your skin and have you needing England to win. It’s boisterous. It’s intense. It’s the perfect location to watch two rivals battle out in one of the most iconic rivalries our sport has.
And then, of course, it is on to Sydney, and the historic Sydney Cricket Ground. Nearly 200 years old. The famous green pavilion. Off the pitch, fans can be the first to celebrate 2026 on the Sydney harbour front at a Barmy Army New Year’s Eve party. Endowed with a sparkling harbour, dazzling beaches and a sunny climate, this glamorous city never disappoints.
As always, the Ashes promises drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments that will be etched into cricket history. The hosts will be looking to retain the famous urn, having triumphed back in 2023 after the series was drawn 2-2. The Three Lions, meanwhile, will be desperate to bring the trophy back to England and put on a show for the thousands of travelling supporters.
The Barmy Army understands tens of thousands of England fans place the Ashes tour at the top of their bucket list but never actually make it out to Oz to live their cricketing dreams. They often find themselves setting the 11.45pm alarm, and after a few hours kip, stumbling down the stairs in the dark, cold midwinter to stick the kettle supporting from afar with the worst “I wish I was there” feeling in the world.
So, with that in mind – and demand already through the roof – we are giving fans the chance to secure their Ashes experience with priority access to the highly anticipated Barmy Army Travel packages.
Join the Barmy Army in Australia for The Ashes
By purchasing a Priority Access Pass, you are guaranteeing your Ashes experience with the Barmy Army. This Tour promises to be a series to remember. Don’t dream it, live it.
The fully-refundable pass gives you an exclusive 24-hour window to browse Barmy Army Travel packages before they go on sale to the general public. We will have limited packages available and are expecting high demand so securing a first-look, as well as the opportunity to guarantee your place, is hugely important!
Plus, purchasing a Barmy Army Travel package is the only way to guarantee you are sat with the Barmy Army during the Ashes.
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