The Rugby League Ashes is set to return to the calendar after over two decades away, with a clash between England and Australia confirmed as the first major non-football event for the new Everton Stadium.
Today’s (Wednesday’s) announcement from the Rugby League Commercial arm of the Rugby Football League (RFL), Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and International Rugby League (IRL) will see a three-game series contested later this year at two of the UK’s largest stadia, along with a traditional rugby league venue.
Officially dubbed the ABK Beer Ashes Series, the games will be played on three consecutive Saturday afternoons – October 25, November 1 and November 8 – starting at Wembley Stadium before moving on to Everton Stadium and concluding at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, the home of Super League club Leeds Rhinos.
The Rugby League Ashes date back to 1908, with the name adopted from cricket for the inaugural series at the suggestion of the touring Australians. 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 pandemic.
Everton Stadium hosted the second of three planned test events on Sunday, as the club’s Under-21s team defeated Bolton Wanderers B 1-0 in front of more than 25,000 fans. The stadium has a capacity of 52,888 and is located on Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool. A third and final test event is set to be held before the end of the 2024-25 season, before Premier League club Everton officially moves in for the 2025-26 campaign.
Everton’s link to rugby league stretches back to the original 1908-09 Kangaroo tour, and Australian touring teams played a total of four matches at Goodison Park, the club’s current home, between then and 1921.
Colin Chong, Everton’s interim CEO, said: “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.”
The home of the sport’s Challenge Cup final since 1929, Wembley has also staged numerous international fixtures, including three Ashes Tests – all of which resulted in Great Britain wins.
This year’s game will be the 13th Ashes rugby league Test at Headingley, but the first for 43 years. However, the unique nature of Headingley, with the rugby stadium adjoining the cricket ground, means its Ashes history also includes 26 cricket Tests stretching back to 1899.
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, added: “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.”
