A cracking Ashes 2025-26 series is on the cards. Host Australia will take on rival England in this biennial Test series.
England last claimed the Ashes a decade back in the 2015 series. Australia, meanwhile, have retained the trophy in all previous four outings.
The hosts will look to extend their run, while the visitors will aim to reclaim the lost glory. It’s also an important fixture for both sides in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
So, when and where does the Ashes 2025-26 start?
The five-match Ashes 2025-26 will begin on November 21, 2025, with Perth Stadium hosting the opening clash. The first Test starts at 10:30 AM local time (8:00 AM IST).
In the last four decades, Gabba used to stage the opening match of the Ashes. But in the upcoming Ashes, the tradition will come to an end as Perth gets the honour.
This move comes after CA shuffled venues after making contracts with the Australian state governments last year.
Heard there’s a day-night Test scheduled in the Ashes 2025-26?
Oh, yes! Australia and England will battle it out with the pink ball in the second Ashes Test. Brisbane will host the day-night affair.
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Which are the other venues for the Ashes 2025-26?
The other venues are also familiar to both sides. Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney will share the hosting duties with Perth and Brisbane.
Here are the venues for the Ashes 2025-26:
- Perth Stadium, Perth
- Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne (MCG)
- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (SCG)
Alright, tell me the complete schedule for the Ashes 2025-26…
After the West Test in Perth, both teams will travel to Brisbane for the day-night Test, which starts on December 4. A week-long break will follow, with Adelaide Oval set for the pre-Christmas clash starting on December 17.
The MCG, as usual, will hold the traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled between December 26 and 30. The SCG will turn pink to host the New Year’s Test, which will start on January 4, 2025.
Ashes 2025-26: Test Series Schedule
| Dates | Match | Venue | Time (Local / IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 21-25 | 1st Test | West Test | Perth | 10:30 AM / 8:00 AM |
| December 4-8 | 2nd Test | Day-Night Test | Brisbane | 2:30 PM / 10:00 AM |
| December 17-21 | 3rd Test | Christmas Test | Adelaide | 10:30 AM / 5:30 AM |
| December 26-30 | 4th Test | Boxing Day Test | Melbourne | 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| January 4-8 | 5th Test | New Year’s Test | Sydney | 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
Ongoing & Upcoming Series Schedule:
India’s Domestic Cricket Schedule 2025-26
Indian Men’s Cricket Team Schedule for 2025 Home Season
Indian Women’s Cricket Team 2025 Complete Schedule
Australia Schedule for 2025-26 Home Season
Ashes 2025-26 Complete Schedule
Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025: Schedule
New Zealand vs West Indies Series 2025: Schedule
New Zealand Schedule for 2025-26 Home Season
World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 Full Schedule
Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 Series: Schedule
How do the squads stack up for the Ashes 2025-26?
England revealed their touring party two months before the series. Ben Stokes will lead a strong unit down under. But he has a new deputy in Harry Brook, who replaces Ollie Pope in the role.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will continue to open, with Joe Root in the middle order. Jamie Smith will keep the wickets, while Jacob Bethell provides the all-round touch. Will Jacks has earned a surprise call-up while being a reserve for Shoaib Bashir.
England have named six pacers in the squad, with five of them set to play their first Test in Australia. Only Mark Wood has experience playing down under with the red ball.
England Squad for Ashes 2025-26:
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (vc), Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
The big news from the Australian camp is captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Test as he hasn’t yet recovered from the back injury. Steven Smith will lead the Aussies in the first Test. Cummins is likely to return in the second match.
Sam Konstas, meanwhile, doesn’t find a place in the squad after not-so-impressive returns in his first five Tests thus far. Jake Weatherald replaces Konstas and looks frontrunner to open along with Usman Khawaja.
The other batting order remains more or less the same, with Marnus Labuschagne back in the frame. Chris Green and Beau Webster are the two pace-bowling all-rounders who could possibly assist Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. Nathan Lyon, as usual, heads the hosts’ spin attack.
Australia Squad for Ashes 2025-26: (For first Test)
Steven Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Okay, now where to watch the Ashes 2025-26?
If you are in Australia, then catch the Ashes 2025-26 on Foxtel and 7 on TV. You can also stream the Tests on Kayo Sports and 7plus.
For those in the United Kingdom, TNT Sports will bring all the Ashes action on telly, with the streaming available on Discovery+.
Indian fans can also follow the Ashes 2025-26 up close on Star Sports TV channels and JioHotstar’s OTT platform.
Read Next | Australia’s WTC 2025-27 Schedule
