2025 Ashes Tour

[Perth Red]

So the news leaked out at the weekend that England wont be touring down under in 2025 and that Australia will tour in the Northern Hemisphere. Already much excitement is happening in northern England at the prospect.

England and Australia look set to do battle in a series for the first time in over 20 years on this side of the world, after dramatic late talks took place about switching the location of next year’s Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side were due to tour Down Under in 2025 and contest an Ashes series in Australia for the first time in over 30 years.

However, it has now emerged that the Kangaroos are instead keen to tour England – something they have not done for an Ashes series since 2003, when they defeated Great Britain 3-0.

Next year’s tour would be against England rather than Great Britain, after senior officials opted against reverting back to the Lions brand after consideration from the public, something revealed by Love Rugby League earlier this year.

But it is understood that the decision is being driven by Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos – with Love Rugby League of the understanding that they are the ones keen to tour England rather than the RFL trying to convince them to do so: but English officials are, perhaps unsurprisingly, keen to host the world champions.

In what would represent a major financial boost for the sport in this country, a three-Test series in England is now well on the way to being confirmed. Furthermore, Love Rugby League has been told that will categorically include one Test match in London.

Where that takes place remains to be seen. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium would immediately be the two frontrunners. There will also be one traditional Test on each side of the Pennines.

The Ashes have not been staged since 2003, when the Australians defeated Great Britain 3-0 in games at Bolton, Hull and Huddersfield.

However, given the demand for more high-profile international rugby league and the wait between series showdowns, it is likely the stadia choice this time could be much more ambitious as officials look to cash in on what would be an enormous hype surrounding the return of The Ashes.

More details are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Australia to tour England in 2025 Ashes as huge venue choice revealed

England and Australia will do battle in a series for the first time since 2003 in England: after talks were held about switching the location of the Ashes.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Perth Red]

I hope they pull out all the stops for this and think big!

Possible venues
Game 1 - London. no brainer. Emirates stadium (cap 62k). Great stadium, great location (alternate Wembley)
Game 2 - West side. Everton Stadium (cap 52k). Bit controversial holding a game in soccer loving Liverpool but the allure of a brand new stadium will bring many fans to the far west coast. (Alternate Man City Etihad)
Game 3 - East side Newcastle (cap 52k) another controversial choice but there isnt a decent sized and quality stadium in East of England RL territory sadly. (Alternate Elland Rd)

Only problem may be its in middle of soccer season and they may not be keen to have us tearing up their pitches.

Aim for an avg 35-40k crowd at each.

 

[Perth Red]

Australia, the reigning world champions, are set to tour England in 2025 – the first time in more than 20 years – after late talks were held about switching the location of the next Ashes series.

There has not been a traditional three‑match series since 2003, when Great Britain lost 3-0 at home despite leading with less than five minutes remaining in all the games. That wait looked to have ended after confirmation last year England would tour Australia. But the series now appears to be taking place in England.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/27/england-samoa-rugby-league-international-match-report
Senior Australian officials contacted the Rugby Football League about the prospect of reviving a traditional Kangaroos tour in 2025 and talks have apparently reached a positive conclusion. It will give the sport in this country a significant financial boost.

The Ashes has been staged on a regular basis since the first series between Great Britain and Australia in 1908. League officials did consider reviving the Lions brand next year but it will be England, not Great Britain, who will take the field.

Rugby league’s 2025 Ashes series makes late switch to England’s shores

Australia are set to tour England for the first time in more 20 years after talks were held about switching the location of next year’s Ashes

www.theguardian.com

 

[Foreign Legion]

Much rather see GB play (as thats what I'm use too) but I'm down for the Ashes either way.

 

[Perth Red]

Much rather see GB play (as thats what I'm use too) but I'm down for the Ashes either way.

The nostalgia in me agrees but they are pushing the England brand for this generation.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

It's a shame that Wales, Scotland and Ireland have regressed so much since the GB brand split up in 2008.

Can't wait for the series though, I think it makes a lot more sense to play it in England. Bigger crowds and the hype / boost the game needs over there

 

[Last Week]

Go big. Cheap tickets. Entice a crowd to advertise a world cup trip. Even offer paid for tours for the World Cup to people in the crowd of each game. Get a sponsor on board.

Wembley
Elland Road
Old Trafford

 

[Coastbloke]

I was initially annoyed by this change because it Is another example of International Rugby League incompetence, but I’m back flipping because England will be here for 2026 RLWC and when was the last time Australia was in England..The RFL needs this..

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I was initially annoyed by this change because it Is another example of International Rugby League incompetence, but I’m back flipping because England will be here for 2026 RLWC and when was the last time Australia was in England..The RFL needs this..

2016 was the last time the Kangaroos were in England and 2017 the last time the two teams played. Way too long

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Perth Red]

I would rather see them go play 2 games in France than club games. One in Toulouse and one in Perpignan.

 

[undertaker]

2016 was the last time the Kangaroos were in England and 2017 the last time the two teams played. Way too long

Agreed.

 

[undertaker]

Regarding the proposed venues for the Ashes series, I'm very happy to read the RFL are strongly considering playing in the larger stadiums.

I understand the RFL had to take the conservative option and play the 2001 and 2003 Ashes in stadiums with a 25k capacity in RL heartland areas after all the negative publicity the 2000 RLWC got. However, the international game has definitely grown over the past two decades. After more than two decades since the last Ashes series in England, RL fans will definitely turn out in numbers, so this is the perfect opportunity for the RFL to capitalize on the occasion and maximise profits.

As for my choice of stadiums, the venues used during the 1990/1994 Ashes would be my first choice. All tests kicking off at 2:30pm local time.

1st test: Wembley Stadium (first test needs to be played in London. If Wembley is not available, then Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Emirates Stadium - both with approx. 60k capacity - would be the next alternatives for hosting the London test).

2nd test: Old Trafford (this will heavily depend on whether Manchester United management will allow another RL match played on their turf weeks after the Super League grand final. This was moreso a major issue during the Sir Alex Ferguson era. I'm strongly in favour of playing the first two tests at the two largest soccer venues in England

If unavailable, City of Manchester Stadium would be the next alternative that's near Old Trafford. Although it has a larger capacity, Anfield maybe too ambitious, not to mention the field for the 2016 Four Nations final had to be shortened to 91 metres - goalpost to goalpost - in order to accommodate rugby league).

3rd test: Elland Road (this is the conservative option of all the 25k+ capacity stadiums in the north-east of England.

Although capacity is another 15k more than Elland Road, St James' Park in Newcastle maybe a bit too ambitious, especially if Australia is leading 2-0 after the 2nd test).

 

[Perth Red]

RLPA would not agree to it, but ideally the tour should be:

Game 1 Aus v NZ in Perth (warm up) (it will be 110 years since ANZAC's left WA for Gallipoli, opportunity to commemorate it)
Game 2 France v Aus in Toulouse
Game 3 Aus v France in Perpignan
Game 4 Eng v Aus London (Tottenham)
Game 5 Eng v Aus Liverpool (or Manchester)
Game 6 Eng v Aus Newcastle (or Leeds)

 

[Wb1234]

Go old school

Wembley
Old Trafford
Elland rd

This is a chance for English rugby league to reset

 

[Perth Red]

Go old school

Wembley
Old Trafford
Elland rd

This is a chance for English rugby league to reset

Why choose two old stadiums when there are much better ones?
many would argue Tottenham is better than Wembley as well.

 

[Wb1234]

Why choose two old stadiums when there are much better ones?
many would argue Tottenham is better than Wembley as well.

Bring back the glory days of ashes tests

 

[Perth Tiger]

RLPA would not agree to it, but ideally the tour should be:

Game 1 Aus v NZ in Perth (warm up) (it will be 110 years since ANZAC's left WA for Gallipoli, opportunity to commemorate it)
Game 2 France v Aus in Toulouse
Game 3 Aus v France in Perpignan
Game 4 Eng v Aus London (Tottenham)
Game 5 Eng v Aus Liverpool (or Manchester)
Game 6 Eng v Aus Newcastle (or Leeds)

probably better swapping the Eng and France games around. Aus start pretty rusty and gives a greater chance of a decider.

Then having the Aussies on a 2 week bender might prevent score blow outs in France

 

[Perth Red]

probably better swapping the Eng and France games around. Aus start pretty rusty and gives a greater chance of a decider.

Then having the Aussies on a 2 week bender might prevent score blow outs in France

good point! Traditionally they did pay France last. Just thought playing them first would create more media and hype for the England games.

 

[Billythekid]

I see this as a good change and I think this will do very well next year in England.