Australia Goes Big: Ashes 2025 Opener to Play Live Nationwide on 600+ Screens

Australia is preparing for one of its biggest cricket-viewing moments in recent history as Cricket Australia confirms that the first ball of the Ashes 2025 live broadcast will be on over 600 public screens nationwide. These screens will be placed across major cities at iconic locations such as Federation Square in Melbourne and Elizabeth Quay in Perth, along with several of the top cricket stadiums in Australia, where fans can enjoy the excitement of an iconic sports occasion.

There will also be screens in office buildings and major shopping centres as the first ball of the Ashes ignites the excitement for a monumental Ashes series, turning the Ashes opening delivery into a collective national moment. With the series returning home after a dramatic 2023 contest, the move reflects Australia’s determination to celebrate Test cricket on a massive public scale.

Why This Massive Public Screening Push Is a Game-Changer

This is the first time Cricket Australia has organised an activation of this magnitude for a bilateral Test series. By placing 600+ screens across the country, officials aim to make the Ashes opener accessible to millions who cannot attend the stadium. The project mirrors global sporting moments such as FIFA World Cups, where mass public viewing heightens excitement and unites fans. The goal is to elevate Ashes Day 1 into a nationwide festival, ensuring the opening ball becomes one of the most-watched moments in Australian cricket history.

Cricket Australia’s Strategy: Spark Engagement and Boost Viewership

The decision comes at a crucial time when Test cricket is competing against rising T20 leagues and declining traditional viewership trends. Ashes 2025 Australia board sees as a pivotal opportunity to revive national interest and strengthen emotional connection with the format. Large-scale public screenings are expected to reintroduce the communal joy of watching Test cricket, something officials believe will attract both passionate followers and first-time viewers. By making the first ball accessible across public locations, the board hopes to kickstart the series with strong momentum.

Ashes Build-Up Intensifies as Fans Anticipate a Blockbuster Series

The excitement for Australia vs England Ashes 2025 is already high, with Australia expected to field a blend of experienced seniors and emerging stars ready for the greatest rivalry in cricket. England’s aggressive “Bazball” style adds a fresh tactical narrative that fans are eager to witness. With millions expected to gather around public screens on the opening morning, the first ball will not just signal the start of a series, but it will mark a national celebration of cricket, passion, and rivalry. Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO, said,

Fans Celebrate the Move: “This Feels Larger Than Sport”

Australian fans have reacted overwhelmingly positively on social media, calling the public-screening project one of the most exciting initiatives undertaken for Test cricket. Many describe it as a return to shared sporting experiences, reminiscent of iconic cricketing moments such as the 2015 World Cup. Influencers and former players have also praised Cricket Australia, highlighting that such initiatives can play a crucial role in preserving the relevance and charm of Test cricket in the modern era.

The richest cricket boards in the world, including BCCI, ECB, PCB, and others, will be monitoring this experiment closely, as it may set a new benchmark for global fan engagement in long-format cricket. If the public screening initiative proves successful, similar activations could become a part of major Test series around the world. As the countdown to Ashes 2025 continues, Australia has ensured the opening delivery will be more than a cricketing moment; it will be a national spectacle experienced together by millions.