The Ashes 2025/26: Test dates, UK kick-off times, view venues and more

The Ashes are now underway as England look to win in Australia for the first time in 15 years and regain the famous urn.

The last Ashes series ended 2-2 in England in 2023, but in Australia it has been very one-sided in recent years.

The English won 3-1 in 2010/11, but since then the Aussies have won 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0, with the most recent whitewash coming in 2021/22.

However, there is hope that Ben Stokes can lead his team to a rare victory Down Under, or at least be a lot more competitive than recent trips.

Australia will be captained by Steve Smith in the first Test as Pat Cummins is injured, although the pace bowler is expected to return in the second match.

The home side will also be without Josh Hazelwood in Perth, so England have a chance to get off to a good start against a depleted Australian attack.

Prepare for late evenings or very early mornings as England face one of cricket’s toughest tests.

Test dates and UK times

First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth

Start date: November 21

UK start time: 2:30 am

First session: 2:30 PM – 4:30 AM

Second session: 5:10-7:10 am

Last session: 7:30-9:30 am

Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane

Start date: December 4

Start time UK: 4:30 am (day/night match)

First session: 4:30-6:30 am

Second session: 7:10-9:10 am

Last session: 9:30-11:30 am

Third Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Start date: December 17

UK start time: 12 noon

First session: 12-2am

Second session: 2:40 – 4:40

Last session: 5-7 hours

Fourth Test – MCG, Melbourne

Start date: December 25

UK start time: 11:30 PM

First session: 11:30 PM – 1:30 AM

Second session: 2:10 – 4:10

Last session: 4:30-6:30

Fifth Test – SCG, Sydney

Start date: January 3

UK start time: 11:30 PM

First session: 11:30 PM – 1:30 AM

Second session: 2:10 – 4:10

Last session: 4:30-6:30

How to watch The Ashes on TV in Britain

TNT Sports shows all the action in the UK, so you’ll need a subscription to watch on their channel or streaming service Discovery+.

The BBC’s Test Match Special will air the series on radio.

Although Sky continues to show matches domestically in England, there has reportedly been little interest from the broadcaster in the overseas series as the winter focus is on Premier League football and the World Darts Championship.

Ashes Venues

Optus Stadium, Perth

Capacity: 61,000

The Gabba, Brisbane

Capacity: 37,000

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Capacity: 53,500

MCG, Melboune

Capacity: 100,000

SCG, Sydney

Capacity: 48,000

English team

Batters

All-rounders

Wicketkeeper

Bowlers

• Jofra Sagittarius
• Guus Atkinson
• Shoaib Bashir
• Brydon Carse
• Matthew Potts
• Josh Tong
• Highlight Wood

Australian team

Batters

• Usman Khawaja
• Jake Weatherald
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis

All-rounders

• Cameron Green
• Beau Webster

Wicketkeeper

Bowlers

Pat Cummins (injured first test)

• Mitchell Starc
• Josh Hazelwood (injured first test)
• Scott Boland
• Nathan Lyon
• Sean Abbott
• Brendan Doggett
• Michael Neser

As opportunities

Series winner

4/7 Australia

17/2 Draw

2/1 England

First test

4/6 Australia

6/4 England

12/1 Draw

Odds courtesy of Betfair

MORE: Stuart Broad mocked by Australian commentator during England Ashes collapse

MORE: Brendon McCullum warns England’s Australian star ‘absolutely flying’ ahead of The Ashes

MORE: James Anderson names England star as having a ‘point to prove’ against Australia in the Ashes