The 2025–26 Ashes series will be held in Australia from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026, featuring five Test matches between Australia and England.
The Ashes Test is a time-honoured cricket series played between Australia and England since the early 1800s. Officially the first The Ashes tournament took place in 1882-83 when the Australian cricket team enjoyed their maiden Test win in England.
A traditional Ashes series consists of a 5-match series and as of the 2023 The Ashes test results the overall record stands at 36 series wins for Australia, after they retained the Ashes in the 2023 series, and 32 series wins for England, plus six drawn series including most recently the 2018/19 The Ashes Series Draw. There has been a number of times over The Ashes history when four-match series (1983, 1975) and six-match series (1970–71, 1974–75, 1978–79, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993 and 1997) have taken place.
England and Australia take turns in hosting The Ashes series at least every four years. England held the latest The Ashes title from 2015 after they beat the green-and-gold team in three of the five tests that year, but failed to retain the title losing the 2017-18 series after the opening three tests all went Australia’s way before the 4th test was a Match draw and the Aussies won again in the fifth and final test.
Australia then retained The Ashes after the 2018/19 series was drawn and again in the 2021/22 Ashes series, after Scott Boland achieved the third best bowling figures in the history of Australian cricket at 6-7 (4 overs) and Australia winning the first three Test matches.
Most recently, Australia retained The Ashes in the 2023 series after the five-match series was drawn 2–2.
The Ashes team that wins the majority of the tests over the series are said to hold The Ashes. If the series is a draw, the previous holders retain the Ashes Trophy.
The Ashes dates are announced more than a year in advance. The Ashes schedule of matches, also known as The Ashes fixtures, traditionally run from November to January the following year during the summer cricket season.
The 2025 The Ashes Series was known as the LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Seriesdue to sponsorship
2025-26 The Ashes Series
Result: TBD
Series: 74th
Dates: 121 November 2025 – 8 January 2026
Host Country: Australia
Venues: Perth Stadium, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground
Teams: Australia vs England
Australian Captain: TBC
English Captain: Ben Stokes
Reigning The Ashes Holders: Australia (2023)
Pat Cummins is currently the Australian Test cricket captain, but his availability for the start of the 2025–26 Ashes series is uncertain due to a lingering back injury.
Captaincy Status Ahead of the 2025 Ashes
Pat Cummins has led Australia in Tests since 2021 and is expected to retain the role for the upcoming Ashes series.
However, fitness concerns have emerged, with Cummins yet to resume bowling as of late October 2025 due to a stress-related back issue.
If Cummins is ruled out of the opening Test in Perth on 21 November, Steve Smith is the likely stand-in captain. Smith has previously deputised for Cummins and brings extensive leadership experience.
Ben Stokes is the England Test captain for the 2025–26 Ashes series. He will lead a strong squad down under, with Harry Brook named vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope in the leadership group.
England’s Leadership for the 2025–26 Ashes
Captain: Ben Stokes Stokes continues in the role he’s held since 2022, bringing grit, tactical nous, and inspirational leadership. He’s widely credited with revitalising England’s red-ball approach alongside coach Brendon McCullum.
Vice-Captain: Harry Brook Brook’s rise has been meteoric, and his appointment signals England’s long-term investment in youth. He replaces Ollie Pope, who held the role during the 2023 Ashes.
2025–26 Ashes Series Schedule
Test
Dates
Venue
Format
1st
21–25 November 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Day Test
2nd
4–8 December 2025
The Gabba, Brisbane
Day/Night Test
3rd
17–21 December 2025
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Day Test
4th
26–30 December 2025
MCG, Melbourne
Boxing Day Test
5th
4–8 January 2026
SCG, Sydney
New Year Test
2025-26 Ashes Series Highlights
Australia hosts this edition following the 2023 Ashes in England, which ended in a 2–2 draw.
The second Test in Brisbane will be a pink-ball day/night match — always a fan favourite.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG and New Year Test at the SCG remain iconic fixtures in the summer calendar.
Squads and captains are yet to be officially confirmed, but both teams are expected to field strong lineups with a mix of veterans and rising stars.
The 2025–26 Ashes series between Australia and England is set to light up the summer, running from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026.
The five-Test showdown kicks off in Perth before heading to Brisbane for a pink-ball day/night clash at The Gabba.
Adelaide hosts the third Test in mid-December, followed by the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year Test at the SCG.
With the series returning to Australian soil after a 2–2 draw in England in 2023, both sides will be hungry to reclaim bragging rights.
Expect fierce rivalries, packed stadiums, and plenty of betting action across all five matches.
Whether you’re backing the Baggy Greens or tipping an English upset, this Ashes summer promises high drama and top-tier cricket.
The Ashes Betting
Ashes 2025–26 Betting Overview
The Ashes returns to Australian soil from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026, and bookmakers have already framed the market. Australia, who haven’t lost a home Ashes series since 2010–11, are odds-on favourites at $1.70 at time of publish. Their dominance at home, combined with a settled squad and strong recent form, makes them the team to beat.
England, led by Ben Stokes and playing their aggressive “Bazball” style, are $2.75 outsiders to win the series outright ahead of the opening Test. Despite not winning in Australia for over a decade, they’re bringing one of their most balanced squads in years, and punters looking for value may find appeal in their price.
A drawn series — which occurred in 2023 — is currently priced at $9, reflecting the challenge of splitting the teams over five Tests in Australian conditions.
Betting on The Ashes scores is very popular with Aussie punters and cricket fans. The Ashes series betting is open as soon as the date of the next tournament is announced, sometimes over a year out from the Test.
Futures The Ashes odds list prices on Australia and England to win as well as a longer price for a drawn Ashes series result. As The Ashes date approaches and the match schedule is set, more Ashes betting markets open up.
Popular cricket betting odds available on The Ashes Test include: Highest Score, Most Sixes, Top Runscorer, Batsman To Score 50, Total Runs and Top Wicket Taker. Other The Ashes odds on offer include the Correct Ashes Series Score and Retain/Regain The Ashes. The Ashes betting is also open on the Player of the Series.
Home country advantage can sway The Ashes odds, which often favour the side hosting the series. Markets on The Ashes winner however change test-by-test and the venue isn’t the only thing for cricket punters to factor in.
The Ashes History
The term “The Ashes” has an interesting history and refers to that very first English home ground loss to the Aussies in 1882-83, reports of English cricket dying reading as “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”.
Early during The Ashes history, England dominated and won two of the opening three Tests against Australia. This led to a small urn, reportedly holding the ashes of a wooden bail, being handed to then English captain Ivo Bligh – “the ashes of Australian cricket.” The Ashes urn remains an unofficial trophy in the series. The modern-day Ashes Trophy however is made of Waterford Crystal. This new-look The Ashes urn has been awarded to the series winners since 1998-99.
Australia and England played their first Test match in Melbourne back in 1877, but the legend of The Ashes didn’t become part of cricket history until a few years later when they faced off in their ninth test in 1882.
The Ashes Records
Over the long and rich history of one of the great cricket rivalries, plenty of The Ashes records have been achieved. Australia holds the record for both the most runs and most wickets during an Ashes series held by the legendary Don Bradman (5,028) and modern-day champion Shane Warne (195) respectively.
Sir Don Bradman has the most runs in Ashes History. Photo by The Guardian.
Most Runs: Don Bradman (AUS) 5,028
Most Wickets: Shane Warne (AUS) 195
Total Years Held: Australia (78.5 from 132 since 1883)
Most Centuries Made: Australia (264)
The longest The Ashes drought lasted from 1989 – 2005, England unable to defeat Australia in a single series during that time. Australia have held The Ashes for approximately 78.5 years and England for 53.5kg years in the 133 years the series has run (since 1883).
There are some other interesting unofficial “The Ashes Records” held by some heroes of the game including Aussie great David Boon who reportedly enjoyed 52 beers on the flight to England. A proud record for Boonie to hold indeed!
The Ashes Results
Before the 2017/18 The Ashes series, Australia and England had equal bragging rights holding 32 Ashes series wins each. Australia nudged ahead however securing their 33rd The Ashes Series success with a 4-0 victory over their old foes in 2017/18. They made it 34 and 35 series wins respectively when retaining The Ashes in both 2019 and after the 2021-22 series. There has also been six drawn The Ashes results since the first tournament in 1882-83 with the latest being in 2018/19.
Australia vs England: Overall Series Results
Nation
Series
Won
Lost
Drawn
Australia
74
36
32
6
England
74
32
37
6
The Ashes Winners
YEAR
HOST
WINNER
SCORE
2023
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA
2-2
2021-22
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
4-0
2019
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA
2-2
2017-18
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
4-0
2015
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
3-2
2013-14
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
5-0
2013
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
3-0
2010-11
AUSTRALIA
ENGLAND
3-1
2009
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
2-1
2006-07
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
5-0
2005
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
2-1
2002-03
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
4-1
2001
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA
4-1
1998-99
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
3-1
1997
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA
3-2
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