Cricket Australia has gone through some rollercoasters. It has registered a record profit following the unprecedented media rights deals from the Ashes and limited-over series against India. The CA has reported a record financial performance for the 2025-26 financial year, with revenue reaching A$601.1 million and a net surplus of A$81.8 million.
The strong results mark a crucial turnaround from the previous year’s net loss of A$11.3 million and were primarily fuelled by lucrative media rights and commercial income from the limited-overs series against India, alongside the Ashes contest with England. The governing body’s annual figures, released this week, highlight the commercial value of high-profile international fixtures. However, it does anticipate losses in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years.
India boosts Cricket Australia to record profits despite A$20 million hit from two-day Ashes Tests
Media rights deals tied to both the Ashes and the India series provided the bulk of the uplift, supported by solid match-day and commercial revenue. Australia’s men’s team retained the Ashes 4-1 on home soil, while the side also secured a 2-1 ODI series victory over India. The women’s team added further success by claiming their seventh ICC T20 World Cup title with a win over England at Lord’s.
Yet the financial report also revealed a notable setback. Two Ashes Tests that concluded within two days, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground fixture, are estimated to have cost Cricket Australia approximately A$20 million in lost revenue. Early projections had put the MCG Test shortfall alone at around A$10 million, with the Perth match contributing to the higher combined figure. Outgoing CA chair Mike Baird addressed the issue at the annual general meeting, lightly joking about the value of five-day contests while noting that the MCG still attracted a record crowd of 94,000 despite the truncated match.
Cricket Australia breaks Ashes attendance record
Overall Ashes attendances remained healthy, with 859,580 spectators across 18 days of cricket, averaging more than 47,000 per day as the records were broken. The strong on-field results and crowd figures underscore the enduring appeal of the series even when individual matches finish early. Looking ahead, Cricket Australia has cautioned that the current surplus is unlikely to be sustained. Officials expect revenue to decline in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years due to the cyclical nature of the international calendar. Periods with fewer high-value home series against major opponents such as India or England typically lead to softer media rights and match-day income.
The latest results illustrate both the rewards and risks of modern Test cricket economics. Blockbuster bilateral series, particularly those involving India, continue to generate substantial returns through broadcast deals and commercial partnerships. At the same time, the unpredictability of Test match lengths can erode projected gate and hospitality revenue when games finish well short of five days.
Cricket Australia’s ability to post a healthy surplus in a year that included both a successful Ashes defence and a competitive India series demonstrates the underlying strength of its commercial model. However, the A$20 million impact from the two short Tests serves as a reminder of the financial vulnerability inherent in the traditional format. As the organisation navigates the leaner years ahead, balancing the integrity of five-day cricket with commercial sustainability will remain a key challenge for administrators.
The figures also reflect broader trends in the sport, where limited-overs events and marquee bilateral tours increasingly underwrite the finances of Test-playing nations. For Australian cricket, the 2025-26 season delivered both on-field silverware and a record financial result, tempered by the costly early finishes that deprived venues of additional match days.
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