Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The 150th Anniversary Test Match at the MCG is among the highlights of Cricket Australia’s (CA) confirmed allocation of men’s international Test match hosting rights over the next seven seasons.
Australia and England will meet at the MCG in March 2027 in a one-off celebration of the first Test played in March 1877. It follows the enormously successful 1977 Centenary Test which Australia won, like the first Test, by 45 runs.
The awarding of hosting rights for select men’s international Tests, one-day internationals, T20Is and other matches across the next seven summers (2024-25 to 2030-31) is the culmination of a series of strategic partnerships between CA and State and Territory Governments on behalf of Australian Cricket to provide greater certainty for fans and communities, and to grow cricket events across the country.
Government investment in cricket is crucial to ensure Australia’s national teams continue to produce amazing performances in great venues, local and travelling fans enjoy brilliant experiences at our matches and host cities and communities benefit economically and socially.
Other highlights of the schedule include:
- The iconic NRMA Insurance Boxing Day and New Year’s Test matches remaining at the MCG and SCG respectively for the next seven seasons.
- Adelaide Oval hosting the December “Christmas Test” in the lead-up to Christmas from 2025/26 including a combination of Day-Night and Day Tests and also hosting a BBL New Year’s Eve match for the next seven seasons.
- The NRMA Insurance West Test at Perth Stadium securing its position as the first Men’s Test of the summer until 2026/27.
- The Gabba to host Test cricket for at least the next two years, including a Men’s Ashes Day-Night Test in 2025/26, with discussions about future international cricket in Queensland ongoing.
CA is continuing to work closely with the Tasmanian, ACT and Northern Territory Governments on hosting rights over the next seven years, including the development of key stadia projects, so that as many people as possible across the country can attend international cricket.
The schedule fully aligns with CA’s current broadcasting partnerships with the Seven Network and Fox Sports which continue until 2031.
The current women’s Future Tours Program including tours by New Zealand, India and the CommBank Women’s Ashes this season concludes in April 2025. Negotiations and announcements about match venues will commence when the new schedule is released in coming months.
Tickets for the blockbuster summer of Australian cricket are available at cricket.com.au/tickets
Nick Hockley, CA CEO said:
“We are delighted to confirm long-term hosting rights which provide certainty around the locations of some fantastic cricket over the next seven years.
“We are confident this schedule ensures the best cricket will be played in the best venues at the right times across the country, including a fantastic mix of iconic Test matches, new blockbusters such as The West Test and Christmas Test and exciting Day-Night fixtures.
“Ensuring that cities across Australia get the best possible fixtures at the times they want is a challenging task – but we believe this plan delivers a fantastic schedule for cricket fans.
“We are enormously grateful for the strong support of State and Territory Governments and venue operators who will help us to deliver brilliant experiences across the country and maximise economic impact from these major events.
“The 150th anniversary Test Match at the MCG in March 2027, will be a wonderful celebration of the pinnacle format of the game at one of the world’s great sporting arenas and we can’t wait to host England on that historic occasion.”
Match Allocation Summary
New South Wales
Seasons: 7 seasons (2024/25 to 2030/31)
Secured Matches: Men’s New Year’s Test each summer
Queensland
Seasons: 2 seasons (2024/25 & 2025/26)
Secured Matches: 1x Men’s Test to be played prior to 30 December each summer and 1x Men’s ODI / T20 each summer
South Australia
Seasons: 7 seasons (2024/25 to 2030/31)
Secured Matches: 1x Men’s Day/Night Test vs India (2024/25), Men’s Christmas Test (2025/26 to 2030/31), 1x Men’s ODI / T20 each summer, 1x Women’s T20 / ODI each summer and BBL match on New Year’s Eve each summer
Victoria
Seasons: 7 seasons (2024/25 to 2030/31)
Secured Matches: Men’s Boxing Day Test each summer, Women’s 90th Anniversary Day/Night Test vs England in 2024/25 and Men’s 150th Anniversary Test vs England in 2026/27
Western Australia
Seasons: 3 seasons (2024/25 to 2026/27)
Secured Matches: First Men’s Test each summer and 1x Men’s ODI / T20 each summer
