The schedule for the upcoming Ashes series has been announced, breaking a 42-year-old tradition. The Ashes, the oldest and most prestigious rivalry in cricket history, takes place between Australia and England. This highly anticipated Test series, known for its intensity, has been running for over a century.
The next Ashes series will take place in Australia in November of next year. Cricket Australia has released the schedule a year in advance, breaking a tradition that has been in place for 42 years.
The Ashes Test series is one of cricket’s greatest spectacles. Since the 1982-83 season, the Ashes in Australia has traditionally started in Brisbane.
However, according to the newly announced schedule, the first Test of the next Ashes will be held at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21 to 25, breaking the 42-year-old tradition. Moreover, this time the day-night Test will not be held in Adelaide.
Since the introduction of day-night Tests in 2015, Adelaide had regularly hosted the pink-ball Test. This time, however, the day-night match will be held in Brisbane before Christmas.
A new agreement has been made between the South Australian government and Cricket Australia. According to the agreement, Adelaide sees a significant influx of tourists just before Christmas. To attract those tourists to the stadium, the Adelaide Test has been scheduled as a day match just before Christmas.
According to the schedule, the first Test will take place from November 21-25 at Optus Stadium in Perth. The second Test, a day-night match, will be held at Brisbane’s Gabba from December 4-8. This will be the last match at the Gabba before the stadium is demolished for the Olympics.
The third Test will be held in Adelaide from December 17-21. The traditional Boxing Day fourth Test will take place in Melbourne from December 26-30. The fifth and final Test will be held in Sydney from January 4-8, 2026.
The most recent Ashes series, held in England in 2023, ended in a 2-2 draw.
