The Rugby League Ashes will return this autumn after a 22-year absence – with England playing a three-Test series against the Kangaroos at Wembley Stadium, the new Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and AMT Headingley Leeds.
The ABK Beer Ashes Series will be played on three consecutive Saturday afternoons – October 25, November 1 and November 8 – with each kicking off at 230pm (GMT) and shown live on BBC One.
The venues combine the rich Rugby League and Ashes heritage of Wembley and Headingley with an exciting new stadium for the sport – the state-of-the-art development on Liverpool’s waterfront which will become Everton Football Club’s new home this summer.
With huge demand expected, fans are urged to pre-register before 23:59 pm on Tuesday 1st April for early access to the best-priced tickets through a priority window opening on Wednesday 2nd April (12 pm) - before they go on general sale on April 14.
Before then, England’s most loyal supporters will have the first opportunity to secure their tickets in a 48-hour priority window opening Monday 31st March – with anyone who has bought a ticket for an England international in the last decade, including the Rugby League World Cup in 2022, able to purchase tickets for any of the three Tests.
Rhodri Jones, Rugby League Commercial Managing Director, said: “This is the news we’ve all been waiting for - everyone in the England set-up, and tens of thousands of England Rugby League fans. We welcome back Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos to England for an Ashes series, and we have three fantastic venues which will showcase the very best of International Rugby League. After 22 years this is rivalry reignited that will have a truly national resonance as England look to regain the Rugby League Ashes.”
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said Kangaroo Tours have produced some of greatest moments in the history of the game.
“We are proud to revive one of the great Rugby League traditions with the first Ashes series and Kangaroo Tour of England in 22 years. The ARLC believes in the international game and the Commission was behind this historic tour to support the growth of the game in the North. Kangaroo Tours are an iconic part of Rugby League folklore and have always delivered thrilling contests. The current generation of Kangaroos players have never experienced the magic of a Kangaroo Tour, and I’m delighted that they will have a chance to cement their own legacy alongside the greats of the past.”
Ticket information
From 6.30am Wednesday 26th March, fans will be able to pre-register for access to the Ashes Priority Window which will go live at 12 pm Wednesday 2nd April at the following link: www.rugby-league.com/ashes
From 9.00am Monday 31st March, a select group of previous ticket buying England fans will receive emails to allow them 48 hours to buy tickets for the Ashes. This is a closed group sales window and fans will be contacted with further details.
General sale will open 10 am 14th April. The general public will be able to purchase the remaining tickets.