Cricket Australia has returned to profitability after a year of losses, reporting record revenue of A$601.1 million and a net surplus of A$81.8 million for the 2025–26 financial year. The governing body credited the turnaround to lucrative home international fixtures, strong broadcasting income, commercial partnerships and record audience interest, particularly during the men’s Ashes series against England and the limited-overs series against India.
The result represents a significant recovery from the A$11.3 million net loss recorded in 2024–25. However, Cricket Australia expects to return to losses in 2026–27 and 2027–28 as its international schedule changes and media-rights and match-day revenues decline. The figures show how the financial health of a national cricket board depends not only on on-field success, but also on hosting commercially valuable opponents, selling broadcasting rights and maintaining spectator demand.
Key Takeaways
- Record revenue: Cricket Australia generated A$601.1 million in 2025–26.
- Return to surplus: Net surplus reached A$81.8 million, compared with a loss of A$11.3 million in the previous financial year.
- Ashes and India boost: Home fixtures against England and India drove record media, commercial and match-day revenue.
- Record crowds: The Ashes attracted 859,580 spectators across 18 days, averaging 47,754 per day.
- Two-year warning: Cricket Australia forecasts losses in both 2026–27 and 2027–28 as its international schedule changes.
- Big Bash investment: The organization is exploring private investment in Big Bash League franchises to strengthen the competition’s commercial position.
Cricket Australia Reports Record Revenue and a Financial Turnaround
According to Business Standard, Cricket Australia’s revenue reached A$601.1 million in 2025–26, equivalent to approximately US$423 million. The organization reported a net surplus of A$81.8 million, or around US$57 million.
The improvement was substantial compared with the previous year, when Cricket Australia recorded a net loss of A$11.3 million. The latest result reflects stronger commercial performance and the financial contribution of major international fixtures hosted in Australia.
The board also reported an operating surplus of A$208.6 million, an improvement of A$99 million from the previous year, according to reporting on its annual results. Its cash, cash equivalents and invested term deposits stood at A$87.5 million at the end of the financial year.
These figures measure different aspects of the organization’s finances. Revenue represents income generated, the operating surplus reflects operating performance, and the net surplus accounts for the result after relevant funding and other financial items. The A$81.8 million net surplus is therefore the headline measure of Cricket Australia’s overall annual result.
Why the Ashes and India Series Were So Valuable
The main financial driver was the combination of two commercially attractive home international assignments.
The men’s Ashes series against England remains one of cricket’s most valuable bilateral contests. Its strong audience appeal supports ticket sales, broadcast rights, sponsorships, hospitality and merchandise revenue. Hosting India for a limited-overs series added another major commercial opportunity during the same financial year.
Cricket Australia’s domestic broadcasting arrangements are also important. Its seven-year partnership with Foxtel Group and Seven West Media is valued at A$1.512 billion, covering the period from 2024 through the end of the 2030–31 season. The agreement includes men’s and women’s home internationals and the Big Bash competitions.
For bilateral international series, the country hosting the matches generally has the opportunity to sell the relevant domestic broadcast rights. That makes the touring schedule a significant determinant of revenue: hosting England or India can produce a different commercial outcome from hosting teams that attract smaller audiences.
The timing of the Ashes and India fixtures helped Cricket Australia bring together ticket demand, broadcast interest and sponsorship opportunities in one financial year.
Record Crowds and Television Audiences Strengthen the Business
The Ashes delivered strong attendance figures, reinforcing the commercial appeal of Test cricket in Australia.
| Metric | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Cricket Australia’s FY2025–26 revenue | A$601.1 million |
| Net surplus | A$81.8 million |
| Net result in FY2024–25 | A$11.3 million loss |
| Ashes attendance | 859,580 |
| Average Ashes attendance per day | 47,754 |
| Ashes average daily broadcast audience | Approximately 1.764 million |
| Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League combined attendance | 1,089,043 |
| Year-on-year growth in combined Big Bash attendance | 12% |
Sources: Business Standard and The Guardian.
The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground attracted 94,199 spectators, setting a record for cricket attendance in Australia. The Sydney Cricket Ground also reported record cumulative attendance for a Test match, with 211,032 spectators attending across five days.
The Big Bash competitions contributed to the broader picture. Combined attendance for the men’s and women’s tournaments reached 1,089,043, up 12% from the previous season. The men’s Big Bash League averaged approximately 808,000 viewers per match, while the Women’s Big Bash League recorded its highest average audience since all matches began being broadcast, according to Cricket Australia’s season figures.
These numbers matter because audience growth can improve the value of sponsorships, advertising and future media-rights negotiations. They also demonstrate that the financial result was supported by several parts of Australian cricket rather than a single revenue source.
Two-Day Ashes Tests Cost Revenue Despite Record Demand
The financial performance was strong even though not every match delivered its full commercial potential.
Two men’s Ashes Tests reportedly ended within two days, including the Melbourne match. Cricket Australia estimated that the shortened games created a revenue shortfall of approximately A$20 million.
Shorter matches can affect hospitality, ticketing, food and beverage sales, and other match-day spending. They may also reduce the amount of live cricket available to broadcasters and spectators, although the precise financial effect varies by contract and venue.
The Melbourne Test illustrates the tension between strong demand and match duration. It drew a record crowd of more than 94,000, yet the early finish reduced the number of days available to generate revenue.
The fact that Cricket Australia still achieved a record annual surplus suggests that strong broadcast, sponsorship and other commercial income more than compensated for the estimated shortfall. It also shows why the financial performance of a cricket series cannot be judged by attendance alone.
Why Cricket Australia Expects Losses in the Next Two Years
Despite the record result, Cricket Australia has forecast net losses in 2026–27 and 2027–28. It cited a cyclical decline in media-rights and match revenue linked to the international touring schedule.
The economics of international cricket are uneven. Some years include high-value home series, while others feature tours that generate less domestic income. Broadcasting agreements may provide long-term stability, but the value of individual seasons still depends on the matches scheduled and the commercial demand they attract.
The next two years will therefore test the organization’s ability to manage costs while continuing to invest in the game.
Cricket Australia’s A$87.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and invested term deposits provides a financial buffer. However, cash reserves are not a substitute for sustainable recurring income, especially if expected losses continue or operating expenses rise.
The governing body will need to balance spending on national teams, grassroots participation, domestic competitions and facilities against a less favorable revenue cycle.
Big Bash League Investment Could Become a New Revenue Source
One strategy under consideration is private investment in Big Bash League franchises. Cricket Australia has been pursuing opportunities to bring private capital into clubs, beginning with the Melbourne Renegades.
Such investment could provide funds for franchise development, improve commercial operations and help clubs strengthen their relationship with supporters. It could also shift some financial risk away from the governing body while giving teams access to investors with experience in sports, entertainment and marketing.
However, private investment is not a guaranteed solution. The terms of any deal, the rights retained by Cricket Australia, the long-term revenue model and the impact on the competition’s structure will all matter.
The Big Bash League already attracts substantial audiences, but converting that interest into sustained growth requires investment in match-day experiences, sponsorships, digital distribution and the overall product.
The Bigger Picture
Cricket Australia’s FY2025–26 result highlights the commercial importance of international cricket’s most valuable fixtures. The Ashes and India’s visit created a combination of strong ticket demand, television audiences and commercial opportunities that helped reverse the previous year’s loss. Yet the forecast deficits show that even a financially successful sports organization remains exposed to changes in its annual schedule.
The challenge now is to turn the record year into a stronger long-term financial model. Stable broadcast arrangements, prudent cost management, continued growth in women’s and domestic cricket, and carefully structured private investment could help reduce the impact of weaker touring cycles. The next two financial years will show whether Cricket Australia can manage that transition without compromising its investment in the sport.
FAQs
1. How much surplus did Cricket Australia report for 2025–26?
Cricket Australia reported a net surplus of A$81.8 million for the financial year ended June 30, 2026. This compared with a net loss of A$11.3 million in 2024–25.
2. What drove Cricket Australia’s record revenue?
The principal drivers were the men’s Ashes series against England and the limited-overs series against India, supported by media rights, sponsorships, commercial income and match-day revenue.
3. How much revenue did Cricket Australia generate?
Cricket Australia reported record revenue of A$601.1 million in 2025–26, equivalent to approximately US$423 million.
4. Why does Cricket Australia expect losses in 2026–27 and 2027–28?
The organization expects lower media-rights and match revenues as the international touring schedule changes. The timing and commercial value of home series have a major influence on annual income.
5. What is Cricket Australia doing to strengthen its finances?
The governing body is managing costs, pursuing commercial opportunities and exploring private investment in Big Bash League franchises. It is also relying on its cash reserves to help navigate the forecast weaker financial cycle.
Looking Ahead
Cricket Australia’s next two financial years will reveal how effectively it can manage the gap between a record revenue season and a less favorable international schedule. The organization will need to control expenditure, protect the value of its broadcast agreements and continue growing the audiences that underpin sponsorship and ticket sales.
For Australian cricket, the longer-term objective is to build a business model that can withstand fluctuations in the touring calendar. The record surplus provides a stronger starting point, but sustained financial health will depend on turning exceptional seasons into dependable commercial growth.
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