WELLINGTON, Oct 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Perth will stage the first Test in the 
2025-26 Ashes, it was announced Wednesday, ending Brisbane's almost 40-year 
run of hosting of the opener of the Australia-England series.

England's bid to win back the historic Ashes urn will begin at Perth Stadium 
on November 21, 2025, with the second day-night Test to be played at 
Brisbane's Gabba, Cricket Australia said.

A pre-Christmas Test will be in Adelaide, before the traditional Boxing Day 
encounter in Melbourne and the new year match in Sydney.

It will be the first time an Ashes Test, has been staged at the new Perth 
venue which replaced the old WACA ground, last used in 2017.

Perth Stadium will become the eighth Australian venue to stage an Ashes Test 
in a rivalry that dates back to 1882.

The Gabba in Brisbane, which has hosted the first Test of every Ashes series 
in Australia since 1986, will have its floodlights turned on for the second 
Test starting on December 4.

CA executive general manager of events and operations, Joel Morrison, said 
the schedule had been released early after being "inundated" by vast numbers 
of travelling supporters wanting to book travel and accommodation.

Match schedule for the 2025/26 Ashes:

First Test, Perth: November 21-25, 2025

Second Test, Brisbane (day/night): December 4-8

Third Test, Adelaide: December 17-21

Fourth Test, Melbourne: December 26-30

Fifth Test, Sydney: January 4-8, 2026