New Everton Stadium to host Rugby League Ashes test
It's the first major non-footballing event to be announced at the new stadium
Last updated 26th Mar 2025
Everton Stadium will host the historic return of Rugby League's Ashes series this autumn.
It's been confirmed that the traditional England-Australia challenge will return after a 22-year absence.
Everton’s new waterfront home will host the Second Test of the three-test series on 1 November. It starts at Wembley on 25 October and will end in Headingley on 8 November.
Season Ticket and Premium Members at Everton Stadium will have the opportunity of securing their tickets or access to the bars, restaurants and experiences for the historic fixture as part of the priority sales window. Members will be contacted by email to confirm how they can secure their seats in the coming days.
Colin Chong, Everton’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Rugby League Ashes series to Everton Stadium this autumn.
“As well as being home to Everton, our new stadium was built to also host world-class sporting and entertainment events. Securing an international fixture of this magnitude demonstrates Everton Stadium’s status as one of the UK’s leading venues.
“The rivalry between England and Australia in rugby league has a rich history, and we are excited to welcome fans of the sport to our city and our stadium which will offer an unforgettable experience in a state-of-the-art setting on the banks of the River Mersey.”
In addition to this Ashes test, the first major non-footballing event to be announced at Everton Stadium, the Club’s waterfront home has already been selected as a host venue for UEFA Euro 2028.
The Rugby League Ashes date back to 1908, with the name adopted from cricket for the inaugural series. Australian dominance was a factor in the decision to move away from Ashes series in favour of Four Nations competitions from 2004, and a previous attempt to revive the rivalry in 2020 was scuppered by the Covid pandemic.
But this year the rivalry returns.
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.”
Everton has history with Rugby League. Goodison Park staged a match during The Kangaroos' first-ever tour of England in 1908, won 10-9 by the tourists, and between 1909 and 1921 hosted three more Kangaroos' visits.