Can you believe it’s already been two years? 2025’s Ashes series will officially begin on November 13, though the actual test fixtures won’t start until November 21, with the second test coming December 4. The good news is that you don’t have to travel to Australia to see what happens since all of the action will be streamed live online. Below, we’ll reveal which streaming platforms are showing this event and how you can watch The Ashes 2025 for free.
This is an extremely popular cricket series, which means unofficial streams are a virtual certainty. However, we strongly suggest sticking to licensed broadcasts. These offer the highest quality video and won’t be taken offline unexpectedly for copyright infringement. Besides, it’s actually possible to live stream The Ashes for free, removing any incentive to watch via shady sites.
The Ashes will only be broadcast on region-locked streaming platforms. If you’re currently traveling abroad, you can regain access to your regular Ashes broadcaster by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server in your home country.
How to watch The Ashes from abroad using a VPN
It’s surprisingly simple to watch The Ashes 2025 online. Just follow these steps to access your usual streaming services while on a short trip abroad.
Here’s how to live stream The Ashes from anywhere in the world:
- First off, you’ll have to sign up with a suitable VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN but Surfshark and Total VPN are two fast, secure alternatives with great streaming ability.
- Download and install the VPN app. Make sure to add it to any device you use for streaming – most providers allow at least five simultaneous connections.
- Log into the VPN and select a server in your home country. This will change your IP address, which is what most streaming sites use to determine your location. Once connected, it’ll appear as though you never left the country at all.
- Find out which platform is showing The Ashes where you are using the section below.
- Visit your country’s Ashes broadcaster and try watching something. You should be able to stream as normal, with no errors. If not, you might want to clear your cache and cookies before refreshing the page.
- Still can’t stream anything? In that case, we’d recommend getting in touch with your VPN’s customer support team for one on one assistance.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for streaming live sports with no restrictions for a month. That’s perfect for anyone hoping to watch The Ashes safely while traveling.
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How to live stream The Ashes 2025 for free on Australian TV
Cricket fans can stream all five test matches, free of charge, on 7 Plus. This platform will broadcast the 2025 Ashes series live, with on-demand replays being made within a few hours of each fixture ending. Just create a free account and you’ll be good to go. Note that this service will ask you for an Australian postcode; it doesn’t actually verify that you live there, and in fact, any valid postcode will work.
The Ashes will also be shown on Fox Cricket. If you’re already a Foxtel TV customer, you can log into the Foxtel Go app and watch online at no added cost. You could also watch Fox Cricket without cable by signing up for Kayo or Foxtel Now, but these platforms are fairly expensive (starting at $30 AUD per month) and overall just a worse option, given 7 Plus will let you watch The Ashes for free.
7 Plus, Kayo, and Foxtel Go are all region-locked, meaning they won’t work outside of Australia. However, once you’ve connected to an Australian VPN server, you’ll be able to use them as normal. NordVPN is our top pick and is currently offering a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it for yourself with no risk whatsoever.
Where else can I watch The Ashes online?
The Ashes series is one of cricket’s biggest and most prestigious events. While only two nations actually take part, there are fans all over the world interested in seeing what happens. Below, we’ll reveal the official international broadcasters and explain how to live stream The Ashes 2025 online from anywhere.
UK
TNT Sports is the UK’s official Ashes broadcaster and will be showing all five test fixtures live, in stunning 4K. There’ll also be highlight videos added periodically, as well as a nightly roundup analyzing and recapping all of the day’s events, with guests like Sir Alistair Cook and Graeme Swan. Now, this service costs £30.99 per month, so you’ll have to sign up for at least two months to see everything the 2025 Ashes has to offer.
The BBC will have limited coverage of this event too. There’ll be live commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Extra, with in-play clips and highlights available via the BBC Sport website. However, it will not be broadcasting the matches themselves.
TNT Sports and all BBC services are geo-blocked. This means that you’ll need a VPN to access them from outside of the UK.
USA and Canada
The 2025/26 Ashes series will be broadcast live, exclusively on Willow TV. This service costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually plus tax, regardless of whether you’re in the US or Canada. If you already get access to this network as part of your cable TV package, just sign in with your TV provider’s details and you’ll be able to watch online at no added cost.
Willow TV is also available as an addon to your existing Sling TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV, or DirecTV Stream subscription. Generally, this costs around $10 but DirecTV only offers it as part of the Sports bundle, which costs $14.99 per month.
All of the services mentioned above are geographically restricted and won’t work outside of North America (unless you’re using a US or Canadian VPN server).
New Zealand
Sky Sports will be broadcasting the entirety of the 2025 Ashes series. If you’re already a TV customer, you’ll be able to sign into the Sky Go app and stream The Ashes online at no added cost. Unfortunately, there’s no way to stream these channels without a cable subscription, and if you’re traveling outside of New Zealand, you’ll need a VPN to access Sky Go.
The Ashes: full 2025 schedule
This time around, it’s Australia’s turn to host the Ashes series. That means if you’re in the UK, you’ve got a few early mornings ahead. Below, you’ll find a full 2025 Ashes schedule explaining where and when each fixture will take place.
| Date | Start time (GMT) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 21 - 25 | 02:30 AM | First Test | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| December 4 - 8 | 04:30 AM | Second Test | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| December 17 0 21 | Midnight | Third Test | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| December 26 - 30 | 11:30 PM | Fourth Test | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| January 4 - 8 | 11:30 PM | Fifth Test | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
The Ashes 2025 FAQs
How does The Ashes series work?
The Ashes are a series of test cricket matches played between England and Australia every two years. Each of these test fixtures lasts up to five days, with whichever country wins a majority taking home the coveted replica urn (which holds “the ashes of English cricket” from which this series took its name).
Who is the favorite to win the 2025 Ashes?
Even though only two countries compete in The Ashes, England hasn’t actually won since 2015. At the time of writing, Australia are slight favorites to win the 2025 Ashes series, partly due to past results and partly because one of England’s key players, Mark Wood, is still recovering from a knee injury.
Why do Ashes fixtures last multiple days?
The Ashes series follow a format known as test cricket. This means that every fixture lasts up to five days, with each team getting two chances to bowl and bat. Now, this doesn’t mean that players are expected to go without stopping; there’s usually around seven hours of actual play per day, which can grow to seven and a half if making up for lost overs.
