Australian cricket international schedule for 2025-26 summer

Test cricket is going off Broadway as a big city venue faces rising pressure to keep pace. The full schedule for the Australian summer has been revealed.

Australia will gear up for it’s Olympic cricket dream by taking Tests to crocodile country as the pressure intensifies for a Sydney Cricket Ground facelift.

Australia today announced its 2025-26 summer schedule which includes international cricket to be played in 11 cities at 14 venues.

The focal point will be the five previously announced Ashes Tests in Perth (November 21-25), the Gabba (d/n December 4-8), Adelaide (December 17-21), Melbourne (December 26-30), Sydney (January 4-8).

But the most excited hosts are Darwin, Cairns and Mackay who will deliver white ball matches against South Africa in August as a postscript to the World Test Championship between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s in June.

The white ball games are expected to be a forerunner to two northern venues being chosen to host Tests against Bangladesh next August in what Cairns and Mackay hope will be their chance to cement their credentials to host some of the Olympic cricket program at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Great Barrier Reef Arena hosted a match between India A and Australia A last summer. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The last time Australia visited the far north for a Test in 2004, Shane Warne equalled the then world record for Test wickets (527) against Sri Lanka in Cairns and the ball he used is now in the Australian Sports Museum.

Sydney is in no immediate danger of losing its iconic pink Test but, with so many venues now jostling for international cricket and new stadiums to be built in Brisbane and Hobart, the SCG is under pressure to keep pace.

New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg raised the hackles of some SCG officials when on SEN last week he described the ageing SCG as “in desperate need of attention’’ with some “extremely old and tired (grandstands).’’

But it is understood his words have resonated with many senior officials in the game who ponder how the SCG, for all of its historical charm, has become so antiquated in a city which spends more than any other in Australia on stadiums.

The Ashes series could well resolve the question of who is Australia’s greatest opponent for England will do well to match the off-the-charts and television ratings of the recent five Test series against India.

“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.

India will play seven white ball matches against Australia in October and November which will be a huge financial windfall for CA.

The Australian women’s team will host a multi-format series against India including a day-night Test Match at the redeveloped WACA Ground in Perth.

Originally published as Australian cricket international schedule for 2025-26 summer