The Ashes Series
Celebrate the start of Australian summer with the Ashes series - a cricket match series close to the hearts of Aussies.
Cricket is more than a sport in Australia. It’s played on the beach with friends, watched during a barbecue with family and cheered for from the seat of a noisy stadium.
The Ashes series is a five-match test cricket series played between Australia and England. The series is played every two years, with the next series to be held in Australia beginning in November of 2021.
Fast facts
- Where: Across capital cities
- When: November 2021 to January 2022
- Price: Ticket prices vary
How to get there
Flights to Australia’s capital cities arrive from several international hubs, and travel between capital cities is easy with airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin. After you arrive into an Australian city, check the public transport options to plan your trip to the cricket ground, or hop in a taxi.
Things to do at the Ashes series
The Gabba, Brisbane, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Watch a match
There’s no better way to soak up the Australian summer than to watch a cricket match. The 2021/22 Ashes series will kick off at the Gabba, Brisbane’s cricket ground. Take your seat and feel the excitement as Australia and England battle to win the series, and don’t forget to partake in an Australian right of passage: eating an Aussie meat pie. You’ll also find one-day and 20/20 cricket matches played during this time if you’re looking for just a taste of Australia’s favourite sporting pastime.
Boxing Day Test, Ashes series, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria © Cricket Australia
Attend one of the main events
The Ashes series takes place over several weeks and includes five riveting matches, but perhaps the most iconic of the matches are the Boxing Day Test and New Year’s Day Test. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hosts the famous Boxing Day Test on 26 December, bringing passionate supporters together to cheer on the game of cricket. On New Year’s Day, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) fills with fans to celebrate not only the dawn of a new year but the fierce rivalry between the Australian and English cricket teams.
Adelaide Oval Roofclimb, Adelaide, South Australia © Che Chorley
Explore the stadiums
Across the country, cricket stadiums gear up for the arrival of the Ashes. You don’t have to wait for the match to start to explore these incredible arenas, with several tours and experiences on offer. Perth’s Optus Stadium opened in 2018, holding an impressive 60,000 seats. Wander through the National Sports Museum at the MCG in Melbourne to discover unique insight into Australia’s sporting culture. The Adelaide Oval boasts one of the most exhilarating stadium experiences. Embark on an Adelaide Oval RoofClimb for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking the curved roofline as you take in the view over the sparkling city.
New Year's Eve fireworks, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Discover capital cities
The Ashes series is held across Australia’s liveliest cities, and there’s no shortage of activities to do before the cricket commences. Climb Brisbane’s beautiful Story Bridge for sweeping views of the city, and then watch it fly by as you abseil to the platform below. Explore Perth’s stunning beaches (and maybe play some beach cricket) or taste top drops in the Adelaide Hills, a wine region just a 30-minute drive from Adelaide’s city centre. Australia’s summer brings plenty of other world-class events, too. Head to Sydney to join in the city’s iconic New Year’s Eve festivities, or visit Melbourne for the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament.
