Perth first Ashes opener set to deliver major boost for businesses

21 November 2025 
Consumer Spending

• Five-day Test expected to inject more than $50 million into the WA economy and drive a surge in spending.
• Hospitality, retail and tourism sectors to reap major benefits.
• Fans urged to beware of ticket scams as demand hits record highs.

NAB Executive Business Metro & Specialised Julie Rynski said the series opener will give Perth businesses a welcome lift.

“Events like the Ashes brings people together – and that’s great news for local businesses,” Ms Rynski said.

“With record ticket sales and sold-out days, we’re expecting a significant uplift in spending across Perth’s hospitality, retail and tourism sectors over the next week or so.

“From cafes and pubs to hotels and retailers, big ticket events like the Ashes create real opportunities for small businesses to grow, give staff extra shifts, and head into the new year with confidence.”

City-by-city impact

• Perth: Hosting its first-ever Ashes opener, Optus Stadium is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors, driving hotel occupancy above 80% and boosting local tourism.
• Brisbane: The day-night Test at The Gabba will light up the city, with bars and restaurants gearing up for a surge in evening trade.
• Adelaide: Hotel bookings for the December Test have spiked to 86% occupancy, reflecting strong interstate and international demand.
• Melbourne: The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is expected to draw more than 90,000 fans on day one alone, creating a bumper week for CBD businesses.
• Sydney: The New Year’s Test will cap off the series, with hospitality venues preparing for a festive season rush.

WA State Manager at Australian Venue Co, Joe Baily, said the team at its Perth pub, The Royal, is expecting things to be much busier than usual during the Ashes.

“Fans are already arriving from the UK, and the atmosphere in Perth is electric,” Mr Baily said.

“Events like the Ashes are a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Perth has to offer. They bring people together and create a real buzz across the city.

“We’ve altered our trading hours so we can open for breakfast and are putting on live entertainment every night. Fans come and go throughout the day, so we want to make sure there’s something special whenever they drop in.

“With a gap between Tests this year, we expect many visitors will stay in Perth longer to soak up the atmosphere and city. That’s great news for hospitality venues like ours.”

The Ashes joins a stellar summer lineup – including the Australian Open and Big Bash League – expected to inject billions into the economy and reinforce Australia’s reputation as a global sporting destination.

Notes:

• Analysis is based on NAB merchant terminal data. 
• The five Tests will be held in Perth (Nov 21–25), Brisbane (Dec 4–8), Adelaide (Dec 17–21), Melbourne (Dec 26–30), and Sydney (Jan 4–8).
• Hotel occupancy rates in Perth and Adelaide are already above 80%, with Melbourne and Brisbane trending strongly.