Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey
The 2025/26 Ashes series broke all sorts of records; a huge result given two of the five Tests ended in two days. TV ratings and streaming minutes were through the roof, while the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) had its highest-ever total attendance for a Test match.
Just a few years ago, there were even calls that cricket was dying in Australia. The numbers below is proof cricket is still a way of life down under. Also, The Guardian’s Emma John describes Australia as a nation where “cricket thrives” as it is “readily and freely available as the dominant summer pastime.”
Ashes 2025/26 records: Fantastic results despite two-day Tests
Below are some of the magnificent crowd and ratings figures from the Ashes series which Australia sealed 4-1 in satisfying circumstances.
Highest-ever total attendance at the SCG and third-highest attendance for a full series in Australia
Cricket Australia confirmed a total attendance of 859,580 across the Test series. This is the third-highest attended series ever in Australia.
Had the Perth and Melbourne Tests not ended so quickly, the figure could have easily crossed 1 million which would have broken the previous record of 946,750. According to cricket.com.au, the estimated attendance losses was at least 210,000.
The SCG Test was one of two Tests – along with Adelaide – to make it to day five. For the first time ever, a cumulative crowd of over 200,000 attended a Test at the iconic venue. The final figure was 211,032.
Highest-rated series ever
Like the Australian team, Seven Network also enjoyed a successful Ashes. The series reached a record 14.2 million viewers, making it the highest-rated series ever, as reported by Media Week. The average total TV audience was 1.19 million across the five matches, up 12% on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India last year.
The Boxing Day Test, which was a dead rubber as Australia sealed the series in 11 days, had an even higher total TV audience of 1.52 million. This is 16% up on the thrilling Boxing Day Test against India in 2024.
Also, 246,000 people streamed each session on 7Plus Sport on average, up a huge 94% on the previous year.
“Even with Australia retaining The Ashes by the Adelaide Test, audiences continued to surge right through to the Boxing Day Test and the Pink Test, delivering record-breaking numbers across Seven and 7plus Sport,” said Chris Jones, director of sport at Seven Network
“With new, younger audiences flocking to 7plus to stream the cricket, paired with a growing linear broadcast audience, it’s a powerful reflection of the nation’s passion for the sport and firmly solidifies cricket as Australia’s favourite summer sport.”
FOXTEL and Kayo Sports also win
Kayo Sports also had a successful series with a whopping 1.3 billion minutes streamed across the five Tests. Also, audiences were up 31% on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a huge 112% compared to the 2021/22 Ashes.
“The success of this series on our platforms reflects the deep connection audiences have with our coverage, alongside the strength of cricket across the country,” said Steve Crawley, Fox Sports managing director, as quoted by B&T.
“Congratulations to the Fox Sports team, Cricket Australia, the England Cricket team and, of course, the Australian cricket team on an incredible series that gave us many moments to remember.”
