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

Sam Burgess gets tackled by three Australians during the last England v Australia match on English soil in 2016. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

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.

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.

It is understood one of the three Tests will take place in London, with officials keen to cash in on what they hope will be a series that generates momentum given the lengthy gap since the last Ashes. The ­Tottenham ­Hotspur ­Stadium and Wembley are early frontrunners for the ­London Test, although Arsenal hosted the World Cup semi-final between ­England and Samoa in 2022.

That would mean one Test in Yorkshire and another in Lancashire, with organisers likely to look beyond its traditional club venues and eye up major venues.

Officials are hoping for a swift ­resolution to talks so that an announcement can be made as quickly as possible. The international game is enjoying a rare boom with the Pacific Cup taking place in the ­southern hemisphere while ­England and Samoa play their ­second and final Test at Headingley on Saturday.

“RL Commercial can confirm­ initial conversations have been held with the ARLC about the possibility of an historic Ashes series being played in England in 2025,” they said.

“We are excited by the possibility of bringing the Kangaroos to these shores for a three-match series for the first time in over 20 years, and we are starting work on the feasi­bility of such a tour.”