The Gabba, a renowned cricket venue, will not kick off the Ashes series in Australia for the first time in over four decades. Cricket Australia has designated Perth as the host for the inaugural Test of the 2025-26 series. Instead, the Brisbane ground will feature its first day-night Ashes match from December 4-8. Following this, the series will move to Adelaide Oval (December 17-21), the Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30), and the Sydney Cricket Ground (January 4-8).
The last time an Ashes series in Australia did not commence at the Gabba was in 1982, when the historic rivals drew at the WACA in Perth. Australia lost the 1986 opener at the Gabba to England led by Mike Gatting but has not lost another Ashes Test at this iconic ground since.
Once the premier venue for starting a home cricket season, the Gabba's prominence has waned in recent years. This decline began with the opening of Perth Stadium in 2017 and the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval a decade ago. The Gabba's future remains uncertain, with no Test scheduled for the 2026-27 home summer, and a planned redevelopment for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics was scrapped due to cost concerns.
Australia has won the last eight Ashes Tests in Perth, although 2025 will mark the first time the teams will play at the new Burswood stadium. Meanwhile, Adelaide Oval will host its first daytime Ashes Test since 2013, when fast bowler Mitchell Johnson took 7-40 in the first innings, helping the hosts secure a 218-run victory.
Cricket Australia executive Joel Morrison highlighted the global interest in the upcoming series, stating, "There has already been enormous interest from fans around the world and all over Australia wanting to see Australia's and England's men's teams engage in the next instalment of the Game's oldest rivalry." Australia has won 13 and drawn two out of the 15 Ashes Tests on home soil since England's win in Sydney in 2011. The last home series was won 4-0 in 2021-22, and Australia retained the urn last year with a 2-2 draw in England.
