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Cricket Australia (CA), on Wednesday, announced the complete schedule for the much-awaited Ashes series in 2025-26. For the first time in over four decades, the Ashes will begin at a venue other than Brisbane’s iconic Gabba, with the inaugural match scheduled to take place at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 21, 2025. This change marks a significant moment, as the Ashes opener moves to a new locatio🐻n, making Perth the eighth Australian city to host the legendary cricket rivalry since its inception in🥀 1877.
Perth reclaims its moment after COVID-19 disruption
The Perth Stadium was initially chosen to host the final Test of the 2021 Ashes series. However, due to strict quarantine rules enforced by Western Australia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was relocated to Hobart’s Bellerive Oval, which was also making its debut as an Ashes venue. The last instance of an Ashes series in 🔯Australia starting outside of Brisbane was during the 1982-83 edition, which began at the WACA Ground in Perth.
Day-Night match returns to Brisbane, Day Test resumes in Adelaide
The second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes will feature a day-night clash at Brisbane’s Gabba, ensuring the continuation of the Pink-Ball tradition within the series. Meanwhile, this shift means the Adelaide Oval will host a claℱssic daytime Test match, its first for the Ashes since 2013, reviving the traditional format loved by cricket fans.
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Australia’s commanding record in Perth
Notably, Australia have enjoyed a dominant streak in Pe♋rth, securing victories in each of the last eight Ashes Tests held there. These wins have included two victories by an innings, with the closest contest being a 150-run triumph in the 2013-14 series, which was pivotal as Australia reclaimed the Ashes urn from England.
Men’s Ashes series 2025-26 schedule:
| Test | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | Perth Stadium | November 21-25, 2025 |
| Second Test (D/N) | The Gabba | December 4-8, 2025 |
| Third Test | Adelaide Oval | December 17-21, 2025 |
| Fourth Test | MCG | December 26-30, 2025 |
| Fifth Test | SCG | January 4-8, 2026 |
