The Ultimate Ashes Experience
No sporting bucket list is complete without a tour Down Under for an Australia v England Test Match. With our tours, you won’t just be watching the Ashes – you’ll be taking a front-row seat to watch history unfold.
Our travel packages for NRMA Insurance Ashes Test matches offer total flexibility and personalised experiences, ensuring unforgettable trips centred around iconic test cricket. You’ll be bowled over by our Ashes tour offerings – this really is the only way to visit Australia.
We always look forward to celebrating Christmas in Melbourne ahead of the Boxing Day Test, and then jetting over to Sydney to enjoy the city’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks in a prime position.
The Australia Experts
We’ve been travelling here for decades, and during that time we’ve picked up plenty of insider knowledge and expert insight on all things Australia, including its rich cricket culture.
We know the best places to stay across the country, from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide to Alice Springs and Kimberley to Kangaroo Island. Previous Ashes tours with our team have included:
- Appearances from Michael Atherton and David Lloyd
- Watching Carmen at the Sydney Opera House
- Cruises through the Whitsundays
- Whale watching boat tours and, of course…
- Plenty of laughs
What this means is that a tour to Australia to watch the Ashes is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series Venues
When and Where is the Next Ashes Series?
The next Ashes series is set to take place in Australia in 2025/26, and cricket fans around the world are already marking their calendars. England and Australia will once again compete for the coveted Ashes trophy, reigniting one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
The series will be played across five most iconic cricket grounds in Australia: Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, each offering a unique backdrop for the thrilling Test matches. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has the honour of hosting the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test match, a highlight of the cricket calendar that draws in fans from all over the world.
The full schedule of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series can be found below.
1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test — Perth Stadium, Perth
21-25 November 2025
With a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere on the banks of the Swan River, the natural and urban worlds meet in this western metropolis to create a space made for exploring. Experience a river cruise to Fremantle or relax on Rottnest Island before joining us at the WACA for the Perth instalment of Ashes cricket.
2nd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test — Gabba, Brisbane
4-8 December 2025
Within easy reach of beaches, untouched island reserves and heritage-listed forests, the capital of Queensland has all the benefits of a cosmopolitan city in a natural wonderland with the Sunshine Coast to the north and the Gold Coast to the south. The Gabba is an unbeatable venue for top-quality cricket.
3rd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
17-21 December 2025
A city known for its ‘English' charm and the Adelaide Oval - widely regarded as the most picturesque Test ground in the world – the capital city of South Australia is a fabulous destination on our tours. With its wide avenues, large squares and colonial architecture, Adelaide is certainly one of Australia's prettiest cities, offering a laid-back pace and plenty of sunshine.
4th NRMA Insurance Ashes Test — MCG, Melbourne
26-30 December 2025
Enjoy the traditional NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test match at the famous MCG, as well as all the celebrations of the festive season in the sun; whether on a drive along the Great Ocean Road or with a spot of Christmas shopping! Arts and culture abound here in Victoria's capital, so perhaps use a day at leisure to explore Melbourne's finest galleries and exhibitions.
5th NRMA Insurance Ashes Test — SCG, Sydney
4-8 January 2026
As well as watching a crucial Ashes clash, we include plenty of leisure time for you to enjoy the many enticing experiences this iconic city has to offer; from the beach at Bondi to the best ‘hatted' restaurants in town, island hopping in the harbour to learning more about Australia's aboriginal culture.
Origins of the Ashes Series
The Ashes series is one of the most iconic and prestigious cricket series in the world, with a rich history dating back to 1882. This biennial Test cricket series between England and Australia is more than just a competition; it’s a storied rivalry that has captivated cricket fans for over a century.
The origins of the Ashes are steeped in cricket history. It all began with a mock obituary published in The Sporting Times after a heavy English defeat to the Australians. It declared that English cricket had died and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” 'The Ashes' were born, and the series has become one of the most iconic cricket events in the calendar.
Over the years, the Ashes have produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. From Don Bradman’s astonishing 974 runs in the 1930 series to the fierce battles between Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Leonard Hutton, the Ashes have seen it all. The series is known for its intense rivalry and competitive spirit, with both teams giving their all to win the coveted trophy.
Matches are played at some of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia, and Lords and the Oval in England. These venues are not just places to watch cricket; they are hallowed grounds where cricket history is made.
Everything You Need to Know:
Is Spectate an Official Licensed Tour Operator for the 2025/2026 NRMA Insurance Ashes?
Yes, Spectate is a Cricket Australia Travel Office Licensed Travel Operator for the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series. Using our extensive experience of providing luxury cricket holidays, our officially licensed tours will be packed with unforgettable moments, both on and off the field.
What's included in my Spectate Ashes tour?
The Ashes is simply one of our favourite events, so we pull out all the stops! Your holiday will include flights, transfers, guaranteed luxury hospitality tickets, a selection of excursions, days at leisure, stays in Australia's top luxury hotels, a host throughout, and a range of functions and celebrity-hosted events. A highlight of any Ashes trip is always our State of Play evening, which sees a panel of former international players hold forth on the ongoing series.
When will I receive my Ashes tickets?
We work as quickly as possible to get you all your match tickets - as a rule, we advise that you'll receive your tickets at least two days before departure. If for any reason these haven't arrived or if you have any other queries, please do get in touch with us as soon as possible.
How do you choose where I'll be sitting at the Ashes?
We use our decades of experience in attending the Ashes Down Under and the feedback of previous Spectate clients to choose the perfect place for our hospitality section. You won't miss a moment of the action - unless you slip away to indulge in some top-class hospitality, of course!
Apart from the Ashes, what else can I do in Australia?
That’s completely up to you! We specialise in creating unforgettable holidays, so our team will work with you to create the ultimate Aussie itinerary. With access to the entire Inspiring Travel Company portfolio of luxury Australian hotels and years of experience journeying Down Under, there’s no end to the experiences and excursions we can arrange for you. Trips to the Great Barrier Reef, wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, sunset dinners overlooking Uluru, or front-row seats at the Sydney Opera House. We can’t guarantee England will be returning with the urn, but we guarantee you’ll be returning with memories of a trip of a lifetime.
