Cricket Australia (CA) has reported record revenue of A$601.1 million and a net surplus of A$81.8 million for the 2025–26 financial year, driven by the blockbuster Men’s Ashes Series against England, the men’s white-ball series against India and strong commercial performance.
The annual report, released on October 28, 2026, highlights a successful season for Australian cricket, with record stadium crowds, strong television and streaming audiences, growing grassroots participation and major achievements by the national teams.
However, despite the strong financial result, CA has forecast losses for 2026–27 and 2027–28 as media rights and match-day revenues decline in line with the international touring schedule.
Record Revenue and Improved Financial Performance
CA’s revenue reached A$601.1 million, while its surplus from operations rose to A$208.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2026 – an improvement of A$99 million on the previous year.
The net surplus after funding to members was A$81.8 million, representing a year-on-year improvement of A$93.2 million. Commercial revenue also increased by A$30 million.
The Ashes and India’s men’s white-ball series generated record media, commercial and match-day revenue. CA said continued attention to cost management also contributed to the improved financial performance.
Funding to members increased by A$5.8 million to A$126.8 million, supporting cricket’s development across Australia.
At the end of the financial year, CA held A$87.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and invested term deposits. These reserves are expected to help cover forecast losses over the next two years.
Financial Challenges Ahead and Big Bash Investment
Despite the record result, CA expects a more challenging financial period in 2026–27 and 2027–28, reflecting the cyclical nature of international cricket scheduling, lower anticipated media rights and match revenue, and rising costs.
The organisation said it would continue to manage expenditure, identify new revenue opportunities and pursue a controlled market process for private investment in Big Bash League clubs.
Exploring private investment in the Melbourne Renegades is among the opportunities being considered. CA has said an opt-in investment model for Big Bash clubs could help strengthen the competitions and provide additional funding for cricket, from grassroots development to elite teams.
The report also marks the continuation of CA’s five-year “Thrive” strategy, which aims to maximise cricket’s potential and its positive impact in Australia and internationally.
Australian Teams Deliver Outstanding Results
The financial success coincided with a memorable season for Australia’s national teams.
The men’s team retained the Ashes with a commanding 4–1 home series victory over England, while the women’s team won its seventh ICC T20 World Cup title, defeating England in the final at Lord’s.
The performances helped strengthen cricket’s connection with fans and communities, complementing the sport’s growth at both professional and grassroots levels.
Upcoming milestones include the 150th Anniversary Test, scheduled for March 11–15, 2027, cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and Australia’s co-hosting of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with New Zealand in October 2028.
Record Ashes Crowds and Television Audiences
The Men’s Ashes Series attracted 859,580 spectators across 18 days of cricket, averaging 47,754 people per day.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground recorded 94,199 spectators on Boxing Day, its highest cricket attendance, while the Sydney Cricket Ground set a new record for total attendance at a Test, with 211,032 people attending across five days.
The series also delivered strong television and streaming figures. Its daily average audience reached 1.763 million, making it the most-watched Ashes series in the Foxtel and Seven simulcast broadcast era. The average was 20 per cent higher than the audience for the successful Border-Gavaskar Series.
Domestic competitions also experienced significant growth. The 15th season of the Big Bash League (BBL|15) and the 11th season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL|11) attracted a combined attendance of 1,089,043, up 12 per cent on the previous season.
The BBL was Australia’s most-watched sports league on a per-game basis, averaging 808,000 viewers per match, with 13 matches recording average audiences of more than one million.
Grassroots Participation Continues to Grow
Registered cricket participation across Australia increased to 670,183, reflecting the sport’s continued appeal among players and families.
Registrations among women and girls rose by seven per cent. For the first time, more than 150,000 children aged between five and 12 registered to play cricket.
CA identified strong grassroots participation, elite development pathways and high-performance systems as central to the strength of Australia’s national teams.
The organisation said it remained committed to working with state and territory cricket bodies to maintain and enhance opportunities at every level of the game.
Board Changes and Leadership Transition
The annual report also confirmed several developments within CA’s board leadership.
David Boon’s nomination as interim chair was confirmed following Mike Baird’s decision to step down as chair. Directors David Boon, Dr Vanessa Guthrie and Richard Freudenstein were re-elected to the board.
Ed Cowan succeeded Mike Baird as the Cricket NSW-nominated director.
Cowan brings extensive playing, governance and business experience. He represented Australia in 18 Test matches and played 143 first-class matches, including stints with Tasmania, New South Wales, Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire. He is also a life member of Sydney University Cricket Club.
A member of the Cricket NSW board since 2018, Cowan holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Sydney. He currently works with growth equity investment firm TDM Growth Partners and has experience investing in and helping scale technology and consumer businesses globally.
Mike Baird Reflects on a Successful Season
Outgoing chair Mike Baird said the record revenue and significant surplus reflected the success of the Ashes and India series, alongside the organisation’s efforts to grow income and manage costs.
He described the season as one of the great summers in Australian cricket, pointing to record crowds and viewing audiences, strong performances by the men’s and women’s teams, and continued excitement around the BBL and WBBL.
Baird also acknowledged the challenges facing the sport, including crowded schedules, rising costs and uncertain global commercial and broadcast markets.
He said the proposed private investment model for Big Bash clubs was intended to support the growth of the leagues and provide a more reliable funding base for cricket at all levels.
Reflecting on his time with Cricket NSW and CA, Baird thanked state and territory partners and expressed confidence in the game’s future leadership under interim chair David Boon.
CEO Highlights Performance Despite a Challenging Outlook
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg described the financial result as an excellent performance, particularly given the revenue impact of the two-day Ashes Tests in Perth and Melbourne.
He warned that the organisation had entered a more difficult phase of the financial cycle because of international touring schedules, commercial and media rights arrangements, and rising costs.
Greenberg said CA would continue exploring investment opportunities, including private investment in the Melbourne Renegades, while protecting the long-term strength of Australian cricket.
He also thanked the organisation’s commercial, broadcast, government, stadium and charitable partners for helping deliver experiences for fans and participants across the country.
Balancing Record Results With Long-Term Sustainability
Cricket Australia’s 2025–26 annual report presents a season of strong commercial returns, record audiences and growth in participation. The results underline the financial value of major international series and the continued popularity of cricket across Australia.
At the same time, the forecast losses for the next two financial years highlight the need to manage costs and develop sustainable revenue streams beyond major touring seasons.
With the 150th Anniversary Test, the Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup approaching, CA faces the challenge of building on its current success while ensuring cricket continues to thrive from local clubs and junior programs through to the international stage.
