The return of the rugby league Ashes series to England for the first time since 2003 has been confirmed, with venues and dates now set for this highly anticipated event. England will face Australia in three Tests scheduled on consecutive Saturdays: 25 October, 1 November, and 8 November. The matches will take place at Wembley Stadium, Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock, and Headingley Stadium, with each game kicking off at 2:30 PM and broadcast live on the BBC.
A key figure in securing the return of the Ashes series to England has been Simon Moran, owner of Warrington Wolves and a renowned music promoter. His influence has been instrumental in securing high-profile venues and enhancing marketing efforts. Moran’s involvement is seen as a major step forward for the sport, with officials praising his contributions in bringing the series to England.
Organisers are optimistic about ticket sales, particularly for the last two games, and are aiming for a strong turnout at Wembley. The series was originally planned to take place in Australia before a late change of plans led to its relocation. Headingley, with a capacity of approximately 20,000, is expected to sell out quickly once tickets go on sale next week, which is anticipated to drive interest in the first two Tests. The decision to host a potential series decider at Headingley has been defended by officials, who regard it as one of the best grounds in Super League.
With the second Test set to be one of the first non-football events at Bramley-Moore Dock, organisers are aiming for a full-capacity crowd of just over 52,000. The target for Wembley is even more ambitious, with officials hoping to surpass the 60,000 attendance recorded at the 2013 World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand, setting their sights on a crowd closer to 80,000.
England and Australia have not faced each other since the 2017 World Cup final, adding to the significance of this upcoming series. England’s coach, Shaun Wane, confirmed that the national team will not have a Test match this summer, meaning they will go almost a full year without playing before the first Ashes Test at Wembley. However, Wane remains confident that his squad will be well-prepared through multiple training camps scheduled throughout the year.
Wane emphasized the importance of this opportunity, describing it as the pinnacle of his coaching career. He expressed excitement about leading England against the world champions and dismissed concerns over the extended gap between matches. With preparations well underway and strong backing from key figures, the return of the Ashes series promises to be a landmark event in the rugby league calendar.
