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BREAKING: Ashes dates and venue locked in with Gabba denied opener in 43-year first

BREAKING: Ashes dates and venue locked in with Gabba denied opener in 43-year first

Cricket Australia has confirmed the dates and venues for the 2025/26 Ashes, with the series opener moving away from Brisbane for the first time in more than four decades.

The first Test of the highly-anticipated Ashes campaign will take place at Perth Stadium from November 21 next year, while the Gabba will host a day-night contest the following week.

Australia has never lost a Test match at Perth Stadium, which will become the nation’s eighth Ashes venue next summer. Perth was initially set to host the fifth Test of the 2021/22 Ashes series, but the match was moved to Hobart due to Covid-19 complications.

The previous time an Ashes campaign in Australia started at a venue other than the Gabba was in 1982, when the two nations played the first Test at the WACA.

England most recently won a Test match in the West Australian capital in 1978, losing eight consecutive matches since.

Elsewhere, Melbourne and Sydney retain their traditional timeslots at Boxing Day and New Year’s respectively, while Adelaide will host a daytime Ashes Test for the first time since 2013.

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Pat Cummins of Australia. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“There is already enormous excitement surrounding the 2025-26 Ashes series and we are pleased to announce the dates for the five men’s Tests to enable fans across the world to lock in their travel plans,” Joel Morrison, CA’s Executive General Manager of Events and Operations, said in a statement.

“Beginning with the West Test at Perth Stadium, the 2025-26 Ashes dates align with our recently released seven-year international schedule and we are grateful for the support state and territory governments are providing to enhance and grow our major events.

“The history and excitement of the Ashes make it one of world’s most iconic sporting events and we are delighted this fierce and electrifying rivalry will extend over two summers in 2025 – commencing with CommBank Women’s Ashes this summer, which includes the historic MCG day-night Test, and culminates in the men’s Ashes next summer.

“We have been inundated with requests from fans around the world wanting to travel to Australia and attend the 2025-26 Ashes series and we urge everyone to register with the Australian Cricket Family for priority access to tickets or visit the CA Travel Office to book in their travel.”

2025/26 Ashes Dates and Venues

First Test — Perth Stadium on November 21-25, 2025

Second Test — The Gabba (D/N) on December 4-8, 2025

Third Test — Adelaide Oval on December 17-21, 2025

Fourth Test — MCG on December 26-30, 2025

Fifth Test — SCG on January 4-8, 2026