Perth's Optus Stadium set to host first test in 2025/26 Ashes series

Cricket Australia has unveiled its schedule for its hosting of the 2025/26 men’s Ashes Test series, with Perth’s Optus Stadium to host its first such encounter in a move that means Brisbane’s Gabba will not open the series for the first time in over four decades.

Locking in the timetable 13 months in advance of the series, the first fixture, rebranded as the ‘West Test’ will be held from 21st to 25th November 2025, followed by a day-night Test at the Gabba from 4th to 8th December before a pre-Christmas Test at the Adelaide Oval from 17th to 21st December.

Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test (from 26th to 30th December) and Sydney’s New Year’s Test (from 4th to 8th January) will then in their traditional timeslots.

Following on from Cricket Australia having revealed a seven-year scheduling plan revealed in August, the sport said the Ashes dates have been released earlier than usual to allow those coming from overseas or interstate to plan their itineraries.

Introducing the schedule, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Events and Operations, Joel Morrison noted “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.”

With the early release of fixtures designed to assist in fans' travel, Morrison added "there is already enormous excitement surrounding the 2025/26 Ashes series.

"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 the Women's Ashes this summer."

The schedule will be the first time in 43 years that an Ashes series in Australia does not start at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Optus Stadium had been supposed to have hosted the fifth Test of the COVID-impacted 2020/21 series but due to Western Australia's closed border, Hobart's Bellerive Oval stepped in at the last minute to host its first-ever men's Ashes Test and save the series.

Image: Optus Stadium.