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Ashes 2025 Dates & Fixtures

The Ashes 2025/26 series is set to light up another Australian summer as Australia and England renew their iconic cricket rivalry. With five Tests scheduled across five of the nation’s premier venues, the series promises world-class cricket, high drama, and the usual fiery headlines that follow an Ashes contest. The Poms’ Stuart Broad has already started to try and wind us up again as he renews his rivalry with words against David Warner.

This series will be particularly special, as England is confident and looks to win the Ashes on Aussie soil for the first time since 2010–11. Australia, meanwhile, will aim to defend the urn after retaining it with a 2–2 draw in the controversial 2023 series in the UK. Here at Joe Fortune we have pulled together the confirmed fixtures, venues, and a brief breakdown of what to expect.

First Test – Perth

  • Dates: Friday 21 November – Tuesday 25 November 2025
  • Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
  • Start Time: 2:30 PM AWST

The Ashes series will start in a different venue from recent years as it kicks off in the west at Optus Stadium, marking a return to Perth as the host of the opener. This ultra-modern venue has quickly become a fan favourite for its atmosphere and fast, bouncy pitch, it should be perfect for our Australia’s quicks. Perth conditions traditionally favour pace bowlers, and both sides will be looking to strike early with the new ball. A lively wicket could set the tone for the series. England hasn’t won at this venue since 1978, and we believe this to be the only time it has ever won there!

Second Test – Brisbane (Day/Night)

  • Dates: Thursday 4 December – Monday 8 December 2025
  • Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
  • Start Time: 4:30 PM AEST

The second Test will be played under lights at The Gabba, a venue that’s historically been Australia’s fortress. The pink-ball day/night format adds an extra twist, especially in Brisbane’s humid conditions, where swing bowlers often come into play under lights. England have struggled at the Gabba in recent Ashes series, but the D/N format could help level the playing field if their bowlers exploit the conditions better than in years past. With pink ball experts in the Australian team such as Michell Starc it could be a tough match for the English.

Third Test – Adelaide

  • Dates: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December 2025
  • Venue: Adelaide Oval
  • Start Time: 12:00 PM ACDT

Adelaide Oval hosts the third Test, just before the Christmas break. This venue has a rich Ashes history and is known for its balance between bat and ball. By the time the series hits Adelaide, we should have a clear picture of which side holds the momentum. Expect a good contest between bat and ball, with spinners likely to come into the game as the Test progresses. This should favour Australia with Nathan Lyon ready to bamboozle England’s batters, especially as the Poms don’t appear to have a strong spinning attack.

Fourth Test – Melbourne (Boxing Day Test)

  • Dates: Friday 26 December – Tuesday 30 December 2025
  • Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
  • Start Time: 10:30 AM AEDT

The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is arguably the biggest occasion in the cricket calendar. With crowds of over 80,000 expected on Day 1 alone, the atmosphere is electric — and the stakes will be even higher if the series is still in the balance. The MCG pitch has been under scrutiny in recent years, but curators have worked hard to restore life and balance to it. Traditionally, this is a Test where big-match players stand up. Who can forget the way Scott Boland ripped through England when it was last over here with devastating figures of 6/7 on his debut.

Fifth Test – Sydney (New Year’s Test)

  • Dates: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January 2026
  • Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
  • Start Time: 10:30 AM AEDT

The final Test will take place at the SCG, rounding out the summer with the iconic New Year’s match. The Sydney pitch often brings spinners into play more than any other Australian venue, making it a fitting finale where team balance and selection could be crucial. If the series is alive heading into Sydney, this will be the decider and what a setting for it. This test is now known for being the Pink Test, so it will be a very colourful few days in the harbour city.

Australia’s Ashes Squad, Are the Boys Ready?

As of now, Australia has not announced their full squad, but injury clouds hang over skipper Pat Cummins, who will miss the first test and possibly more due to a lower back issue. With Cummins ruled out it is expected that Steve Smith will step up into the leadership role and Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be leading the bowling attack. Scott Boland is expected to come into the team and with Nathan Lyon fit there is not too much concern about the bowlers.

The same cannot be said for the batting line up which still has question marks over Australia’s top order. Usman Khawaja is nailed in to open the batting but with Sam Konstas out of form who will partner him… Marnus Labuschagne has hit four centuries in his last five Sheffield Shields and is back in form, but will he open? Steve Smith tried it last summer and has now reverted down to 3 or 4. With the threat of England’s strongest pace attack in years finding an opener is the big query as Travis Head, Beau Webster and Cameron Green all look set to play a role as batters during the series but are unlikely to open the batting.

Final Thoughts

  • New conditions: Day/night cricket at the Gabba for the first time in the Ashes, which will bring a new dynamic to the Test Series in Queensland.
  • Momentum shifts: As always, the Ashes is a series of moments. Sessions can turn games, and games can turn series. Can the Aussies take a wicket with the first ball or will England hit a four…
  • Aussie fortress: Australia have historically dominated at home and has not lost a test match since 2011 but England’s Bazball playing style may upset that trend.
  • Leadership questions: With Cummins under an injury cloud, and questions about who will open the batting, both the leadership dynamic and opening batting line up could play a big part in the outcome of the series.
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