The rivalry between England and Australia spans multiple sports and decades of fierce competition. Tottenham vs Villarreal delivered Champions League drama. England vs Australia delivers sporting drama across cricket and rugby instead. The year 2026 has already witnessed a dominant Australian Ashes victory. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Australian sporting triumphs have proved equally life-changing for their national pride Aston Villa vs PSG delivered European drama. The Ashes delivered Test match drama instead. Here is everything you need to know about England vs Australia in 2026.
Cricket: Australia Retain Ashes with 4-1 Series Victory
Australia completed a dominant 4-1 Ashes victory over England in January 2026. The hosts secured the series with a five-wicket win in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground [citation:7][citation:8].
Sydney Test: A Fitting Farewell for Khawaja
The final Test served as a poignant farewell for retiring opener Usman Khawaja. He received a guard of honour from the England team when he walked out to bat for the final time [citation:8]. Australia chased down a target of 160 runs on the final day, reaching 161-5. Cameron Green finished not out on 22, while Alex Carey struck the winning runs [citation:7][citation:10].
Khawaja, who made six runs in his final innings, was almost in tears as he walked off to a standing ovation after Josh Tongue bowled him. “It means a lot. So much has gone into it. The only thing I wanted was a win, as much as I wanted to hit the winning runs,” the retiring opener said [citation:8].
Series Summary: Australia’s Dominance
Australia won the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane by eight wickets. They followed with an 82-run victory in the Adelaide day-night Test. England pulled off a stunning four-wicket comeback win in the Melbourne Test, their first victory on Australian soil in 18 Tests. However, Australia sealed the series with the Sydney win [citation:8].
This marks Australia’s fourth consecutive home Ashes series victory. England’s last win in Australia came in 2010-11 [citation:4][citation:7].
Top Performers of the Ashes 2025-26
Australia’s Standout Players
- Travis Head: Finished the series with 629 runs at 62.90, including three superb centuries and a strike rate of 87.36 [citation:8].
- Mitchell Starc: Claimed 31 wickets in the series, more than any other bowler [citation:8].
- Steve Smith: Scored a brilliant 138 in the Sydney Test, leading from the front as captain [citation:10].
- Beau Webster: Made an impact with both bat and ball on debut [citation:10].
- Michael Neser: Took 4/60 in England’s first innings in Sydney [citation:10].
England’s Bright Spots
- Joe Root: Scored two centuries in the series, including a standout 160 in the final Test [citation:8][citation:10].
- Jacob Bethell: The 22-year-old scored his maiden first-class century with a stylish 154 in Sydney. He became the ninth England batter to score a Test century against Australia aged 22 or younger [citation:7][citation:10].
- Harry Brook: Contributed significantly with 84 in Sydney and consistent performances throughout [citation:10].
- Zak Crawley: Produced a vital half-century in Brisbane to help revive England from another wobbly start [citation:1].
England’s Performance Review
And England’s players and management faced a performance review following the lopsided series defeat. ECB chief executive Richard Gould issued a statement expressing disappointment [citation:4].
“This Ashes tour began with significant hope and anticipation, and it is therefore deeply disappointing that we have been unable to fulfill our ambition of winning the Ashes in Australia,” Gould said. “While there were moments of strong performance and resilience during the series, including a hard-fought victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne, we were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest” [citation:4].
Coach Brendon McCullum defended the “Bazball” approach but acknowledged the need for evolution. “You’ve got to have conviction in your methods. You’re not against evolution and progress, but you’ve got to have conviction in what you believe in. It’s about nipping and tucking to try and get a better version of your style and your beliefs” [citation:4].
Upcoming Cricket: Australia vs England T20I Series (November-December 2026)
The two nations will meet again later in 2026 for a five-match T20 International series in Australia [citation:5].
Full T20I Schedule
- 1st T20I: 21 November 2026
- 2nd T20I: 24 November 2026
- 3rd T20I: 27 November 2026
- 4th T20I: 29 November 2026
- 5th T20I: 2 December 2026 [citation:5]
All matches will be played in Australia. The T20 World Cup also takes place in India and Sri Lanka following the Ashes series [citation:4][citation:5].
Rugby Union: Nations Championship Showdown
England and Australia will clash in rugby union on 8 November 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham [citation:2][citation:3][citation:6].
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (capacity 82,000)
- Competition: Nations Championship Round 4 [citation:2][citation:6]
The Ella Mobbs Trophy
The sides will compete for the Ella Mobbs Trophy. England currently hold the trophy following their 25-7 victory over the Wallabies during the 2025 autumn series [citation:2].
Head-to-Head Record
England and Australia have met 57 times since their first Test in 1909. England have won 29 matches, Australia have won 27, with one draw [citation:2]. The rivalry remains remarkably even after more than a century of competition.
Recent Form and Rankings
Heading into the fixture, the two sides are separated by just two places in the world rankings. England sit in 6th position, while Australia occupy 8th place [citation:3].
Ticket Information
Tickets for the England v Australia autumn international went on general sale on 6 March 2026. Prices range from £79 (Category 4) to £166 (Premium) plus fees [citation:2].
Rugby League: Ashes Series and World Cup Preview
Australia also dominated the rugby league Ashes series. The Kangaroos won the series, with Cameron Munster named Player of the Series [citation:9].
Third Test: Australia 30-8 England
Australia scored three tries in the final 18 minutes to secure a 30-8 victory in the third Test. However, Munster felt the scoreline was harsh on England. “I don’t think the scoreline is very reflective of the game. We got pretty lucky at times but that’s footy,” he explained [citation:9].
England’s World Cup Prospects
What’s Next for England vs Australia in 2026?
The sporting rivalry continues throughout 2026 with multiple high-profile encounters:
- November 2026: T20I series (5 matches) in Australia
- November 2026: Rugby Union Nations Championship match at Twickenham
- October-November 2026: Rugby League World Cup (potential meeting)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025-26 Ashes series? Australia won the Ashes 4-1. They secured victory with a five-wicket win in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground [citation:7][citation:8].
When is the next England vs Australia rugby union match? England host Australia on 8 November 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in the Nations Championship [citation:2][citation:6].
Who has won more Ashes series? Australia have won 34 Ashes series, England 32, with six draws. Australia have won four consecutive home Ashes series since England’s last win in Australia in 2010-11 [citation:4].
Who was England’s top performer in the Ashes? Joe Root scored two centuries, including 160 in the final Test. Jacob Bethell also announced himself with a maiden Test century of 154 in Sydney [citation:7][citation:8].
What is the Ella Mobbs Trophy? The Ella Mobbs Trophy is contested between England and Australia in rugby union. England won the most recent contest 25-7 in November 2025 [citation:2].
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