[Cricket] The Ashes Downunder 2025/26 - Top Tips

[Barry Izbak]

I am planning to cross off #1 on my bucket list next winter - The Boxing Day Test at the MCG, followed by New Year Test in Sydney.

NSC - my go to source for all knowledge - will have contributors who have made this epic trip in years gone by, or who may be planning this for next year.

I need to know your Top Tips - your do's and don't's - to help me plan for this once in a lifetime trip.

Have you been? Are you going next year? Any and all tips welcome.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

This won't matter to you if you're doing Melbourne and Sydney, but this seems as good a time/place as any to flag up that the first test will be in Perth rather than Brisbane, in case anybody was considering going to either of those.

 

[BadFish]

DO NOT ask for a decaf coffee in a Cafe in Melbourne.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Did both games in 2002/3 so my info is out of date by 20 years. I was also living in Oz at the time (in Sydney). Mates got me a ticket for Melbourne but most England fans there seemed to be on organised tours. The hotel we stayed in also had a big group being led by Mike Gatting in it.

Tickets were easier to get in Sydney. I got tickets for the Saturday with a mate who was over in Oz on holiday and we got tickets for the Sunday at the end of Saturday when we knew there was still some play to come and England were on top (it was the only test we won that tour). However, no tickets on the day for the 'Hill' which is totally given to the Barmy Army. There is literally no shade on the hill, none at all. But if you want a stand with a roof then you'll be mixed in with the Aussies who, while not in any way violent, will be pissed and vocally lairy.

Above all make time to do tourist things, not just the cricket. There's the obvious stuff but also some tremendous wine tours near both venues (we were very regular visitors to the Hunter Valley) where you'll get great wine cheaply from the cellar door.

 

[Chicken Run]

This won't matter to you if you're doing Melbourne and Sydney, but this seems as good a time/place as any to flag up that the first test will be in Perth rather than Brisbane, in case anybody was considering going to either of those.

And not at the Waca either

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I went to a few when I lived over, though never made the Boxing Day test. For me, Adelaide is probably the most fun. Far more relaxed and a nice experience.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

And not at the Waca either

Accidentally going to the WACA rather than the Optus on the morning of the game feels like a recoverable situation. Rocking up at the Gabba and realising you need to be in Perth, less so.

I've seen a couple of places report the first match being in Perth as being an advantage for England, which seems frankly delusional given we've won a single test there, and that in 1978.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

We are also planning on going, so will be following this thread with interest.

I know Melbourne will be Boxing Day, and Sydney NY Test, but when are the other dates released?

 

[SAC]

I've not been since 1990/91 but I don't suppose it has changed much. Good banter between both sets of supporters although there are always some who take it too far. Someone will try to stack 50 plastic glasses and the stewards will intervene. Someone will chuck a half drunk pint into the air, some of which will land on you, meaning you will stink of stale beer. Good fun when you are in your 20s, not sure I could stick it now.

I went to a T20 World Cup match in Sydney in 2021 and it was much more sedate, presumably due to it only being a couple of hours long and less time to get pissed in the 30 degree sunshine.

 

[dazzer6666]

Calling @Change at Barnham I think…..

 

[Bodian]

1 - take a hat
2 - take plenty of water, as the taps in the loos only had hot water when I went
3 - enjoy

 

[Audax]

I am planning to cross off #1 on my bucket list next winter - The Boxing Day Test at the MCG, followed by New Year Test in Sydney.

NSC - my go to source for all knowledge - will have contributors who have made this epic trip in years gone by, or who may be planning this for next year.

I need to know your Top Tips - your do's and don't's - to help me plan for this once in a lifetime trip.

Have you been? Are you going next year? Any and all tips welcome.

Australia has very strict border entry rules around food products etc, make sure you know what you are and are not allowed to bring in. Could save you a lot of time coming through customs.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Are you running a tour to this one @Change at Barnham ?

 

[Clive Walker]

can't offer any advice other than enjoy yourself.

completely jealous!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Not directly connected with the cricket @Barry Izbak but could have a major positive impact the finances of your trip. I'm sure you'll be aware that flights to Oz are eye-wateringly expensive at that time of year. Unless you're planning on booking a specialised Ashes package, I'd strongly suggest looking at Chinese airlines eg China Southern. You'll make significant cost savings over the more high profile airlines and might get a fascinating stopover thrown in at next to no extra cost. Highly recommended

 

[Eeyore]

Accidentally going to the WACA rather than the Optus on the morning of the game feels like a recoverable situation. Rocking up at the Gabba and realising you need to be in Perth, less so.

I've seen a couple of places report the first match being in Perth as being an advantage for England, which seems frankly delusional given we've won a single test there, and that in 1978.

And only because the Aussies had lost many of their team to Packer.

I've been to Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. Ironically, I didn't see England on any of those occasions. I love Adelaide. That's the one for me.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Yes, I’ll once again be escorting a tour to the Ashes.

It will be my 5th Ashes in Australia since 06/07, having missed 21/22 due to the Covid travel ban.
It’s a wonderful tour to do in a fantastic country with a great infrastructure, friendly people and great weather.
The cost of living seems more expensive than the UK and ticket prices aren’t any cheaper, although saying that, international cricket tickets in England are twice as much as they should be.
And anyone who has bought long-haul flights since Covid will know how they seem to have doubled in price.

Match tickets for overseas visitors are linked to travel packages that include a 6 nights hotel stay at each test. The Aussies don’t make it easy for independent travellers to buy individual tickets for odd days and encourage everyone to buy packages through the many UK cricket tour companies that you can find via a simple Google search.

Cricket Australia do have a domestic sales platform for anyone with an Aussie address, so it may well be worth investigating this and asking a friend of a friend or long lost relative who lives in Australia to see if they can help you. You probably need a VPN to help you search for the site if you’re looking while in the UK.
The positive news is that all five stadiums are massive and there are plenty of tickets available and even when they say they have sold out there are usually plenty of spares about.

I understand that many peoples bucket list is the MCG on Boxing Day and the New Year’s Test (4th Jan) in Sydney. However, as anyone who has been can tell you it usually done and dusted by then with gloating Aussies rubbing our noses in it. The exception being 2010/11, when we stuffed them 3-1, with Boxing Day at the MCG probably being my favourite ever sporting memory.

Next year the first two tests are Perth and Brisbane, followed by Adelaide.
The series will obviously start 0-0 and we (England fans) will go into it with our chests puffed out and full of bravado, giving out plenty, and thinking that this is finally our year.
And then when we lose the opener we are still only 1-0 down and we will tell ourselves that we will bounce back in Brisbane, or if not Adelaide.

The new Perth stadium holds 60K and will be the easiest ticket to get because of the low population in Western Australia. It is a truly magnificent stadium in Perth and a great city. It will also be the cheapest flight and only an 8 hour time difference on your body clock.
Then Brisbane.
Brisbane is the second test and is a day/night game. Previous day/night test matches that I’ve been to are horrible as it means you miss out on all the social stuff each evening and miss the vibe of the city and the banter.

Melbourne and Sydney are both iconic occasions, but don’t forget that it is during peak holiday season. So even if the cricket wasn’t taking place, flights, accommodation, entertainment would still cost a fortune.

For anyone who is thinking of going sit down when you get given the cost. And for spending money, think of a number and double it.
It’s a brilliant tour to do, but my advice would be to go early in the series. if Melbourne/Sydney is too expensive for your budget.
And if you find the cost of going to Australia is beyond your budget, then maybe think about South Africa in 2026 which is great value.

I don’t want to start advertising on here, but if anyone wants to be pointed in the right direction send me a DM and I’ll suggest a company that I feel is decent if you want to go independently, or another company that does good 4 star packages (mid-range, but still costly), and also a company that offers five-star tours with the best hotels and events, but for which you will need deep pockets.
As they say, it’s only money! (but we all have different budgets and expectations)

*When not watching Brighton or Bognor, I work as a freelance tour manager escorting tour groups to sporting events.

**19 Oct' 24 - I've edited the above because the test matches have been announced as 1st Perth, 2nd Brisbane D/N, 3rd Adelaide, 4th Melbourne, 5th Sydney. (originally we were expecting Adelaide and Brisbane to be reversed)

 

[Chicken Run]

You probably need a VPN to help you search for the site if you’re looking while in the UK.

These VPN’s you talk of aren’t popular on NSC, our resident super sleuth is calling for them to be banned

 

[Chicken Run]

Yes, I’ll once again be escorting a tour to the Ashes.

It will be my 5th Ashes in Australia since 06/07, having missed 21/22 due to the Covid travel ban.
It’s a wonderful tour to do in a fantastic country with a great infrastructure, friendly people and great weather.
The cost of living seems more expensive than the UK and ticket prices aren’t any cheaper, although saying that, international cricket tickets in England are twice as much as they should be.
And anyone who has bought long-haul flights since Covid will know how they seem to have doubled in price.

Match tickets for overseas visitors are linked to travel packages that include a 6 nights hotel stay at each test. The Aussies don’t make it easy for independent travellers to buy individual tickets for odd days and encourage everyone to buy packages through the many UK cricket tour companies that you can find via a simple Google search.

Cricket Australia do have a domestic sales platform for anyone with an Aussie address, so it may well be worth investigating this and asking a friend of a friend or long lost relative who lives in Australia to see if they can help you. You probably need a VPN to help you search for the site if you’re looking while in the UK.
The positive news is that all five stadiums are massive and there are plenty of tickets available and even when they say they have sold out there are usually plenty of spares about.

I understand that many peoples bucket list is the MCG on Boxing Day and the New Year’s Test (4th Jan) in Sydney. However, as anyone who has been can tell you it usually done and dusted by then with gloating Aussies rubbing our noses in it. The exception being 2010/11, when we stuffed them 3-1, with Boxing Day at the MCG probably being my favourite ever sporting memory.

Next year the first two tests are Perth and Adelaide. If I was advising a mate I would suggest they seriously consider a trip to see those two matches.
The series will obviously start 0-0 and we (England fans) will go into it with our chests puffed out and full of bravado, giving out plenty, and thinking that this is finally our year.
And then when we lose the opener we are still only 1-0 down and we will tell ourselves that we will bounce back in Adelaide, or if not Brisbane.

The new Perth stadium holds 60K and will be the easiest ticket to get because of the low population in Western Australia. It is a truly magnificent stadium in Perth and a great city. It will also be the cheapest flight and only an 8 hour time difference on your body clock.
Then Adelaide, another great modern stadium to watch cricket, adjacent to the river, right next to the beautiful city.
Brisbane is expected to be the third test and according to social media is rumoured to be a day/night game. Previous day/night test matches I’ve been to are horrible as it means you miss out on all the social stuff each evening and miss the vibe of the city and the banter.

Melbourne and Sydney are both iconic occasions, but don’t forget that it is during peak holiday season. So even if the cricket wasn’t taking place, flights, accommodation, entertainment would still cost a fortune.

For anyone who is thinking of going sit down when you get given the cost. And for spending money, think of a number and double it.
It’s a brilliant tour to do, but my advice would be to consider Perth and Adelaide as a combo if Melbourne/Sydney is too expensive for your budget.
And if you find the cost of going to Australia is beyond your budget, then maybe think about South Africa in 2026 which is great value.

I don’t want to start advertising on here, but if anyone wants to be pointed in the right direction send me a DM and I’ll suggest a company that I feel is decent if you want to go independently, or another company that does good 4 star packages (mid-range, but still costly), and also a company that offers five-star tours with the best hotels and events, but for which you will need deep pockets.
As they say, it’s only money! (but we all have different budgets and expectations)

*When not watching Brighton or Bognor, I work as a freelance tour manager escorting tour groups to sporting events.

Are you doing anything for the one off 150th Anniversary Melbourne test in 27?

 

[um bongo molongo]

I did the same Tests in 2005/6 and by the time I landed in Oz we’d lost the series. So my biggest tip would be to get out there in time for the 3rd Test!

Oh, and it was the coldest Boxing Day on record and I ended up having to buy a Cricket Australia top. So take a hoody!