2025/26 Ashes schedule: Perth to host first Test between Australia and England from November 21

Optus Stadium’s first-ever Ashes Test will run through the final week of November 2025, it has been confirmed.

As reported by The West Australian in August, Perth will host the opening Test of each of the next three summers, beginning with next month’s clash with India.

Australia will face England for the first time in the city’s new 60,000-seat stadium from November 21 next year. It is the first time in 43 years an Ashes series has begun in WA.

The five-match series will then head to Brisbane. The Gabba has been handed a day-night Test in a significant snub for Adelaide, despite the Queensland venue’s uncertain future.

Adelaide will host a day-time Test that finishes on December 21, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year’s Test at the SCG — which are secured until 2031 — round out the summer.

Perth’s Test will be the first between the two rivals since tensions boiled over during last year’s series in England.

WA will also host a clash with New Zealand in late 2026 but The West understands the 2027 World Cup — to be held in Africa — will not finish until November and could be behind the reason for the deal sitting at three years.

Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh joked that he will continue his tradition of taking Test teammates on his boat before the match.

“As a West Australian, to start the summer here, it has been really special,” he said.

Tourism minister Rita Saffioti said the government’s relationship with Cricket Australia was a tourism priority.

“As part of our tourism strategy, we are partnering with Cricket Australia to make sure that we are the first place that our international visitors come to watch any cricket series,” tourism minister Rita Saffioti said.

“We are the western gateway to Australia and we believe having the first Test creates an enormous opportunity for international visitors to come to Perth, to experience an incredible Test match at Optus Stadium and of course we are also building festivals around these Tests.”

Sports minister David Templeman — who opened his press conference with an impression of late commentary icon Richie Benaud — said they have “the best stadium in the world” for Test cricket.

“We always want to be front and centre in consideration by Cricket Australia for Test match and other cricket activity,” he said.

“We believe we have got the best stadium in the world to host cricket Tests and cricket matches and West Australian crowds turn out in their thousands.

2025/26 ASHES SCHEDULE

The West Test (Perth), November 21-25

Brisbane Test, December 4-8 (D/N)

Adelaide Test, December 17-21

Boxing Day Test (Melbourne), December 26-30

New Year’s Test (Sydney), January 4-8