Australia announced a packed 2025-26 cricket season, including India’s eight-match white-ball tour and England’s Ashes series.
For the first time in history, Australia’s men’s cricket team will play international matches across all eight states and territories during the 2025-26 season. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the complete schedule on Tuesday, with India’s white-ball tour and the Ashes against England set to headline the summer.
South Africa To Return To Northern Australia
South Africa will begin the season with a three-match ODI and T20I series in August, marking the return of international cricket to Darwin after 17 years. The Proteas will play two T20Is at Marrara Stadium in Darwin (August 10 and 12), followed by the third at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on August 16.
The ODI series will start at Cazalys Stadium on August 19 before moving to the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay for the remaining two games on August 22 and 24. Mackay, which previously hosted the Australian women’s team in 2021 and 2024, has only hosted one men’s international match, a 1992 World Cup tie between India and Sri Lanka that was abandoned after just two balls.
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India’s White-Ball Tour In October-November
India will embark on a high-profile eight-game white-ball tour, covering eight cities across Australia. The three-match ODI series begins on October 19 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25).
The five-match T20I series will then take India to Canberra (October 29), Melbourne (October 31), Hobart (November 2), Gold Coast (November 6), and Brisbane (November 8).
Men’s ODI Series v India
- October 19: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)
- October 23: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)
- October 25: SCG, Sydney (D/N)
Men’s T20I Series v India
- October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra (N)
- October 31: MCG, Melbourne (N)
- November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)
- November 6: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast (N)
- November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)
Historic Matches In Canberra And Hobart
The upcoming season will be the first to feature men’s internationals in all Australian states and territories, with Canberra and Hobart hosting India during the T20I series. Gold Coast’s Carrara Stadium will also witness international T20 action, along with marquee venues like the MCG and the Gabba.
Return Of The Ashes In November
The highly anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England will begin with the West Test in Perth from November 21-25. The Day-Night Test at the Gabba follows from December 4-8, before the traditional Christmas Test at Adelaide Oval from December 17-21.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG (December 26-30) and the Pink Test at the SCG (January 4-8) will conclude the five-match series.
CA’s Chief Executive Todd Greenberg expressed optimism about maintaining the record-breaking momentum from last summer. “We smashed many records for attendance, viewing audiences and digital engagement last summer and we’re confident that this incredible momentum will continue throughout what promises to be an engrossing season,” Greenberg said.
“We are extremely grateful for the cooperation and support of all our government, venue, broadcast and commercial partners who ensure Australia’s national sport continues to deliver brilliant experiences in stadiums and drive participation across the country,” he added.
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Australia’s men’s team will focus heavily on T20 cricket ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March. Away T20 series in New Zealand and Pakistan are also expected in October and February, respectively.
With almost a fortnight between the end of the India T20Is and the start of the Ashes, Australia’s all-format stars, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head, are likely to feature in both series. This is a relief for administrators, considering last summer’s tight schedule saw only four days between the final T20I against Pakistan and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.
Leading Test players had to prepare for the India series while the T20Is were still underway, with Josh Inglis being the only player involved in both squads.
