Cricket enthusiasts have demonstrated unprecedented enthusiasm for the upcoming 2025-26 Men’s Ashes series, with ticket sales reaching historic highs. On the first day of the priority pre-sale, over 220,000 tickets were sold, more than doubling the previous single-day sales record of 111,741 set during the 2017-18 Ashes pre-sale.
The surge in ticket sales was particularly notable for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where over 55,000 tickets were snapped up. Similarly, the first two days of the Gabba and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Tests saw their pre-sale allocations quickly exhausted. The Gabba is set to host its first-ever day-night Ashes Test, adding to the excitement.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed his astonishment at the overwhelming response:
“The record demand for tickets shows the excitement fans are feeling about the fantastic international season to come. To surpass our previous ticket sales record even before NSW and WA tickets had gone on sale is a remarkable achievement and reaffirms our position as Australia’s national sport.”
“I would urge those who haven’t already bought their tickets to do so now as we expect allocations to be exhausted for some days. We can’t wait for an unforgettable summer of international cricket.”
The fervor surrounding the upcoming series is partly attributed to the thrilling 2023 Ashes contest in the UK, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Memorable moments, such as Australia’s nail-biting win at Edgbaston and the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s, have heightened anticipation for the rematch on Australian soil.
Additionally, the return of international fans, particularly the Barmy Army, is expected to boost attendance figures. The COVID-19 pandemic had previously restricted overseas travel, limiting fan participation in the 2021-22 series.
The 2025-26 season promises a packed schedule beyond the Ashes. Australia’s men’s team is slated to play in every state and territory, a first in the nation’s cricketing history. South Africa will tour northern Australia for a series of ODIs and T20Is, marking the return of international cricket to Darwin after 17 years. India is also set to embark on an eight-game, eight-city white-ball tour across October and November.
Fans still have the opportunity to secure tickets during the priority pre-sale, which runs until midnight AEST on June 12. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting Friday, June 13. Given the current demand, early purchase is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.
Australia’s Schedule Vs England
- November 21-25: West Test, Perth Stadium, Perth
- December 4-8: Day-Night Test, The Gabba, Brisbane
- December 17-21: Christmas Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- December 26-30: Boxing Day Test, MCG, Melbourne
- January 4-8: Pink Test, SCG, Sydney
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/QWUS2ROSUBE2BOUXNDX6TXW2RM.jpg)
