The 2025–26 Ashes series will depart from tradition as Cricket Australia has announced that the opening Test will not be held at Brisbane’s Gabba for the first time in 43 years. Instead, the Perth Stadium will serve as the venue for the series opener, marking a significant change in the scheduling of Australia’s home cricket summer.
This decision is a result of a long-term agreement granting Perth Stadium the rights to host the first Test of Australia’s summer for a decade. Previously, this arrangement allowed Perth to host the opening Test of the 2024–25 Border–Gavaskar Trophy against India. Consequently, the Ashes series will commence in Western Australia before proceeding to Queensland.
Brisbane will still play a crucial role in the series, hosting the second Test starting December 4, which is planned as a day-night match. Recent reports indicate that the Brisbane City Council supports this change, seeing the December timing as a chance to attract larger crowds during the school summer holidays. The shift may also provide a more advantageous commercial opportunity for local tourism and ticket sales.
Broadcasting considerations have influenced this schedule alteration. An opener in Perth allows for the final session of play to be broadcast during prime-time slots for viewers in Western Australia, potentially enhancing the audience for the cricketing summer. Australia’s broadcasting partners are keen to maximize ratings, and beginning the Ashes in Perth offers a strategic advantage.
Historically, England’s performance at The Gabba has been a notable topic during their tours. In 22 Tests played in Brisbane, England has won only four times, with their most recent victory occurring during the 1986–87 Ashes, which featured an iconic century from Ian Botham leading to a 2–1 series win. Since the 1982-83 season, The Gabba has hosted every Ashes opener in Australia, with England recording just one win amidst several heavy defeats.
While a change from Brisbane may be welcomed by England, their record in Western Australia provides little solace. At the former WACA ground, England secured only one win in 14 Tests, suffering ten losses. Although they remain unbeaten at the new Perth Stadium, the limited sample size offers insufficient data, and the last Ashes series opener in Perth ended in a draw.
