Cricket Australia has confirmed the schedule for the opening Tests of the 2026–27 home international season, with Bangladesh set to tour Australia in August. The two-match series will be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17 and in Mackay from August 22 to 26. The first Test will take place in Darwin, which has not hosted a men’s Test since Sri Lanka’s tour in 2004.
The Top End city will stage its first Test in over two decades. The second Test will be held in Mackay, Queensland, another venue absent from the Test calendar since 2004, when Sri Lanka also featured there.
The Mackay Test will be Queensland’s only men’s Test of the 2026–27 summer. Brisbane, traditionally a venue of Australia’s home season, will miss out amid ongoing uncertainty around the future of the Gabba.
"We're delighted to bring Test cricket to northern Australia and look forward to a fantastic series against Bangladesh," Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said
"It is no secret the international calendar is now crowded and we're fortunate to have world class facilities available in August ensuring we have another window for Test cricket outside summer".
It will be the first test assignment between both teams since 2017.