The five Australian stadiums to host the 2021-22 Ashes series
The 2020-21 Ashes series is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet and while the schedule is set, the final match of the series could yet be relocated from Perth.
Both the Australian and England teams are packed with talented players who are extra motivated after drawing the 2019 series. That draw means the urn didn’t change hands, with Australia holding onto it, and they’ll be keen to retain it again as the host nation.
In May, it was announced that five of Australia’s best stadiums will be used for the much-anticipated series. They are the Gabba, Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium, although Western Australia’s strict border controls may move the final game away from Perth. With hundreds of thousands of fans expected to attend the iconic series around the country, the atmosphere is sure to be lively. Below is a short introduction to each host stadium.
The Gabba
The first test of the Ashes Series will be held in Brisbane at the Gabba, where Australia holds an impressive record. Although its maximum capacity of this all-seater stadium is 42,000, in cricket mode it will be able to cater for around 36,000 fans. The venue is famous for hosting a wide range of sports, as well as the occasional concert. Recent events include international cricket, BBL matches for the Brisbane Heat, Australian rules football including Brisbane Lions home games and the 2020 AFL Grand Final. The Gabba hosted seven soccer matches during the Olympic Games in 2000, and will be the centrepieces of the 2032 Olympics, with the stadium to receive a major redevelopment.
The stadium’s name comes from the Wooloongabba area where it is situated, a suburb which boasts amazing views of the river and which lies a short distance away from some of Brisbane’s most famous attractions, such as the botanic gardens, the central business district and the Queensland Maritime Museum.
Adelaide Oval
The beautiful Adelaide Oval will host the second Test, starting on December 16. With history dating back to 1871 for the South Australian Cricket Association, the Adelaide Oval has hosted top level cricket since it was established. The ground was redeveloped into a 53,500-capacity world-class stadium in 2014 and now also serves as the Australian rules football ground in the city, but it has retained some of its beauty including the grass hill and historic scoreboard. Rugby union, rugby league, soccer, and concerts are also played at the venue.
The stadium is perfectly situated on the edge of the city, with a number of hotels and plenty of entertainment nearby. Adelaide Zoo, the Art Gallery of South Australia and North Adelaide Golf Course are just some of the attractions within walking distance, so cricket fans visiting Adelaide Oval will not be short of things to do before or after the match.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The MCG will host the third match of the series, which is the Boxing Day Test, commencing on the 26th of December. The ‘G’ hosted its first game in 1853 and has a capacity of just over 100,000, so you can be sure that the atmosphere will be lively, especially with the England team in town. In the world of cricket, its capacity is second only to Narendra Modi Stadium in India. The MCG is a stadium steeped in history that has hosted monumental events, such as the Cricket World Cup Final in both 1992 and 2015, the 1956 Olympics, the AFL Grand Final each year and countless more major events.
The venue is perfectly situated too, walking distance from the Melbourne city and landmarks including the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne Market, Shrine of Remembrance War Memorial and the popular Crown Melbourne, a hotel and entertainment complex in the city’s central business district.
Sydney Cricket Ground
The fourth test will be held at Sydney Cricket Ground, the oldest stadium on this list. Built 173 years ago, in 1848, it is home to the New South Wales state team and Sydney Sixers in the BBL, as well as AFL team the Sydney Swans. The ground also hosts rugby league and rugby union. A US Major League Baseball match was even held there in March 2014. It seats around 48,000 spectators and features more than 10 statues of Australian sports legends around the venue.
The SCG is situated in Moore Park, not far from the heart of Sydney, close to the Entertainment Quarter, Guanyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Sydney’s famous beaches Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte and Bondi.
Perth Stadium Perth
The fifth and final match of the 2021-22 Ashes Series, which is to start on January 14, is scheduled to be played Optus Stadium in Perth, however its increasingly looking likely to be relocated elsewhere due to WA’s strict border controls. The 60,000-seat stadium is the newest stadium on this list, having officially opened in 2018. In its short history, Optus Stadium, which is referred to as Perth Stadium for cricket fixtures, has already hosted many major events.
Several one-day cricket internationals, test matches and BBL games have been played, as well as AFL games including the 2021 AFL Grand Final, rugby league, union and football matches. It is located across the river from the Perth CBD, where you can find attractions like Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth Zoo and Marylands Peninsula Golf Course.
If the game is moved as a result of Perth’s harsh border restrictions, alternate venues that have been discussed include a second game at either the MCG or SCG, or potentially Blundstone Arena in Hobart or even Manuka Oval in Canberra. A decision is expected to be made soon by Cricket Australia.
