The Ashes 2025/26: Key dates, UK times, and how to catch every moment of the series

The Ashes is 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 finished 2-2 in England in 2023, but it has been very one-sided in Australia 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 in 2021/22.

However, there is hope that Ben Stokes can lead his team to a rare victory Down Under, or at the very 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 contest.

The home side will also be without Josh Hazelwood in Perth, so England have a chance to start well against a depleted Aussie attack.

Get ready for some late nights or very early morning as England take on one of the toughest tests in cricket.

Test dates and UK times

First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth

Start date: November 21

UK start time: 2.30am

First session: 2.30-4.30am

Second session: 5.10-7.10am

Final session: 7.30-9.30am

Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane

Start date: December 4

UK start time: 4.30am (day/night match)

First session: 4.30-6.30am

Second session: 7.10-9.10am

Final session: 9.30-11.30am

Third Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Start date: December 17

UK start time: 12am

First session: 12-2am

Second session: 2.40-4.40am

Final session: 5-7am

Fourth Test – MCG, Melbourne

Start date: December 25

UK start time: 11.30pm

First session: 11.30pm-1.30am

Second session: 2.10-4.10am

Final session: 4.30-6.30am

Fifth Test – SCG, Sydney

Start date: January 3

UK start time: 11.30pm

First session: 11.30pm-1.30am

Second session: 2.10-4.10am

Final session: 4.30-6.30am

How to watch The Ashes on TV in the UK

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

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

While Sky continues to show home England games, there was reportedly little interest from the broadcaster in the overseas series as focus is on Premier League football and the World Darts Championship over the winter.

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

England squad

Batters

• Harry Brook
• Jacob Bethall
• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Ollie Pope
• Joe Root

All-Rounders

• Ben Stokes
• Will Jacks

Wicketkeeper

• Jamie Smith

Bowlers

• Jofra Archer
• Gus Atkinson
• Shoaib Bashir
• Brydon Carse
• Matthew Potts
• Josh Tongue
• Mark Wood

Australia squad

Batters

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

All-Rounders

• Cameron Green
• Beau Webster

Wicketkeeper

• Alex Carey

Bowlers

Pat Cummins (injured first Test)

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

Ashes odds

Series winner

4/7 Australia

17/2 Draw

2/1 England

First Test

4/6 Australia

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6/4 England

12/1 Draw

Odds courtesy of Betfair

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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2025/11/21/ashes-2025-26-test-dates-uk-start-times-watch-tv-channel-venues-2-24767791/