The Ashes is the pinnacle of Test cricket, an extraordinary five-Test series that embodies the historic rivalry between Australia and England. For cricket enthusiasts residing in the United States, obtaining reliable, legal, and high-quality access to this series is paramount. The critical question for every fan is “How to Watch The Ashes in USA?”
This comprehensive guide is built on expert knowledge of US sports broadcast rights, ensuring you receive high-accuracy, fully compliant, and up-to-date information. We will detail every legal option for streaming The Ashes in USA, from the official broadcasters and optimal pricing, down to utilizing essential DVR features needed to survive the challenging US time zones. We exclusively recommend licensed, official platforms, guaranteeing reliable and legal access to the best broadcast quality.
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1. Quick Answer Summary: How to Watch The Ashes in USA
The undisputed source for how to watch The Ashes in USA is Willow TV. Willow TV holds the exclusive broadcast rights for the United States, making it the only place to stream every ball of the series live and on-demand. All legal US streaming options serve as gateways to the Willow TV channel.
The table below breaks down the three best, fully compliant, and most affordable options for streaming The Ashes in USA for the 2025/2026 series (Australia vs. England).
| Service | Price Range (USD) | Free/Trial Option | Coverage Type | The Cricket Verdict: Why Use This? |
| Willow TV (Standalone App) | $9.99/month or $79.99/year | No dedicated trial | Full Matches (Live & Replay) | Cheapest & Most Direct. The simplest way for dedicated cricket fans to watch The Ashes in USA. |
| Fubo (Willow TV & Zee Family Pkg) | $15/month ($9.99 first month promo) | 7-day free trial available | Full Matches (Live & Replay) + DVR | Best for Replays/DVR. Includes Unlimited Cloud DVR, which is crucial for surviving overnight matches and watching replays seamlessly. |
| Sling TV (Dakshin Flex Package) | $10/month (via Dakshin Flex) | Occasional introductory offers | Full Matches (Live & Replay) + DVR | Most Flexible. Great low-cost, contract-free option for the short duration of the series. |
Expert Insight : For US viewers tackling the late-night Australian start times, the most valuable feature in determining how to watch The Ashes in USA is reliable Replay/DVR access. Fubo’s Unlimited Cloud DVR offers the best technical solution, while the Willow standalone app offers the lowest overall monthly price for direct access.
2. Official Streaming Services for The Ashes
To watch The Ashes in USA legally, you must utilize one of these platforms which hold the licensed distribution rights to the Willow TV channel. This ensures high-definition quality and compliance with all global broadcast standards.
Don’t have a streaming device yet? Here are the best options for watching cricket:
Google TV Streamer 4K (Google Chromecast)
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player
Willow TV (Standalone App: The Dedicated Cricket Hub)
Willow TV is the exclusive US rights holder for a vast portfolio of international cricket, including the ICC World Test Championship (of which The Ashes is a part), the Indian Premier League (IPL), and bilateral series involving major cricketing nations. This makes the standalone app the cleanest solution for how to watch The Ashes in USA.
| Detail | Information for US Cricket Fans |
| Subscription Pricing | Monthly: $9.99/month |
| Annual: $79.99/year (Significant saving compared to monthly. Equivalent to $\approx\$6.67/month$) | |
| Coverage Details | Full Matches (Live broadcast of every Test match, every day). Guaranteed Unlimited On-Demand Replays of all days of play. Includes dedicated highlights and studio programming. |
| Compatibility | Excellent. Dedicated apps for virtually every major streaming device, including iOS, Android, Web Browser, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs. |
| Streaming Quality | Reliable HD (1080p) quality stream. |
| Free Trial | No dedicated free trial on the standalone app. |
| Pros | Lowest direct cost for the content. Simple, focused interface dedicated entirely to cricket. The most direct answer to how to watch The Ashes in USA. |
| Cons | Only provides cricket content—no other mainstream US TV channels. |
Fubo (Willow TV & Zee Family Package: Unlimited DVR Solution)
Fubo’s standalone Willow TV & Zee Family Package is a highly valuable and flexible option for streaming The Ashes in USA. This package is ideal for maximizing convenience for overnight matches because it includes Unlimited Cloud DVR without requiring you to purchase an expensive base Fubo plan (Pro or Elite).
| Detail | Information for US Cricket Fans |
| Subscription Pricing | Willow TV & Zee Family Package: $9.99 for the first month, then $15/month thereafter. No base Fubo plan (Pro, Elite, etc.) is required. |
| Coverage Details | Includes both Willow TV and Willow Xtra channels, offering 24/7 cricket coverage. The package also includes 18 other top South Asian channels. |
| Compatibility | Top-tier. Fubo apps are universally available on all major smart devices. |
| Streaming Quality | HD (1080p) standard. |
| Free Trial | Yes! Fubo offers a 7-day free trial specifically for this standalone Willow package. |
| Pros | Unlimited Cloud DVR included at no extra charge. This is the ultimate tool for US fans needing to record late-night action and watch replays immediately from the start. |
| Cons | Monthly price is slightly higher than the standalone Willow app after the initial promotion. |
Sling TV (The Dakshin Flex Option: Most Flexible)
Sling TV is an excellent choice for US cord-cutters looking for affordability and flexibility. Their targeted South Asian packages are the key to streaming The Ashes in USA via Sling.
| Detail | Information for US Cricket Fans |
| Subscription Pricing | Dakshin Flex Package: $10/month. Includes Willow HD and Willow Xtra. |
| Desi Binge Plus Package: $15/month (Includes Willow HD/Xtra + Sony LIV, etc.) | |
| Coverage Details | Full Willow TV channel feed live. Includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR and Catch-Up TV. |
| Compatibility | Very good. Available on all popular streaming devices. |
| Streaming Quality | Reliable HD (1080p) quality. |
| Free Trial | Limited. Look for promotional first-month discounts. |
| Pros | Lowest package cost at $10/month. No long-term contract, making it simple to subscribe for the duration of The Ashes and then cancel. |
| Cons | DVR is limited to 50 hours (less robust than Fubo’s Unlimited option). |
Other Mentioned Services (Why They Don’t Have The Ashes Rights)
It is crucial for US fans to understand that Willow TV’s exclusive deals prevent other major sports streamers from answering the question, how to watch The Ashes in USA.
| Service | US Subscription Price (2025) | Cricket Rights Status (USA) | Why it Won’t Stream The Ashes |
| ESPN Select (fka ESPN+) | $12.99/month (Standalone) or $129.99/year | Holds rights for ICC events, Major League Cricket (MLC), and select India bilateral series. | Does NOT have The Ashes rights. Willow TV is the exclusive US broadcaster for this specific Australia vs. England Test series. |
| Fubo Pro/Elite Base Plans | $84.99/month or higher | General TV bundles. | UNNECESSARY. If your primary goal is to watch The Ashes in USA, the $15/month dedicated Cricket Package is the correct and most affordable choice. |
3. Traditional Broadcast Options
For viewers still utilizing cable or satellite, the solution remains subscribing to the Willow TV channel through your existing provider (e.g., DISH Network, Xfinity, Spectrum).
- Streaming Access Included: A key feature is the “TV Everywhere” login. If you pay for Willow TV via cable, you can use those credentials to access the Willow TV streaming app directly. This provides cable reliability coupled with app portability for watching replays.
4. Free Legal Streaming Options
For those searching for “How to Watch The Ashes in USA for Free,” the reality is that live, high-value, exclusive sports content must be paid for in the US.
- Official Highlights: The only legitimate free option is watching the official highlights packages uploaded to YouTube by the official cricketing bodies (ICC, Cricket Australia) after the day’s play has concluded.
- Foreign Streams (Geo-Restrictions): The series is free-to-air on platforms like 7Plus in Australia. However, these services are strictly geo-restricted to Australia. Attempting to bypass these restrictions violates international law and platform terms.
5. VPN Considerations (Neutral, Brief, Legal)
We understand the temptation to use a VPN to access foreign streams.
- Compliance Reminder: Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions may violate the terms and conditions of the streaming service you attempt to access.
- Our Stance: Our guide focuses exclusively on how to watch The Ashes in USA using the reliable, fully licensed, and compliant platforms (Willow TV, Fubo, Sling). These US options guarantee high quality and uninterrupted viewing.
6. The Ashes 2025/2026 Match Schedule (US Time Zones)
The 2025/2026 series is hosted in Australia and runs from November 21, 2025, to January 8, 2026. The challenging time difference means knowing how to watch The Ashes in USA requires mastering the use of replays and DVR.
| Test Match | Dates | Venue | US East Coast Time (ET) Start | US West Coast Time (PT) Start |
| 1st Test (Opening Match) | Nov 21 – Nov 25, 2025 | Perth Stadium, Perth | 9:30 PM ET (Previous Day) | 6:30 PM PT (Previous Day) |
| 2nd Test | Dec 4 – Dec 8, 2025 | The Gabba, Brisbane | 11:00 PM ET (Previous Day) | 8:00 PM PT (Previous Day) |
| 3rd Test | Dec 16 – Dec 21, 2025 | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Day-Night) | 6:30 PM ET (Previous Day) | 3:30 PM PT (Previous Day) |
| 4th Test (Boxing Day Test) | Dec 25 – Dec 30, 2025 | MCG, Melbourne | 6:30 PM ET (Previous Day) | 3:30 PM PT (Previous Day) |
| 5th Test (New Year’s Test) | Jan 3 – Jan 8, 2026 | SCG, Sydney | 6:30 PM ET (Previous Day) | 3:30 PM PT (Previous Day) |
7. What You Get With Your Subscription (Value and Features)
Subscribing to Willow TV guarantees a premium experience that enhances how to watch The Ashes in USA.
Commentary Teams & Production
When you watch The Ashes in USA on Willow TV, you receive the world feed, guaranteeing:
- World-Class Analysis: Access to the internationally recognized commentary team, often featuring Australian and English legends who have played in the series, ensuring deep expertise and context.
- Studio Programming: Detailed pre- and post-match shows and analysis segments run during breaks in play.
Replay Access and VOD
This is the essential service for US-based fans:
- Full Match Replays: Full days of play are uploaded quickly for on-demand streaming.
- Catch-Up TV: Allows you to rewind the live channel stream for several days (Sling).
- DVR & Storage: Fubo’s Unlimited Cloud DVR is the key feature, allowing you to record the entire five-day Test without worry.
Languages Available
The primary broadcast feed for The Ashes is in English (International Commentary).
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I watch The Ashes on my phone or smart TV?
Yes. All recommended services provide dedicated apps for all major streaming devices and mobile operating systems (iOS/Android). You can easily stream The Ashes in USA on any screen size.
Is there a free trial to stream The Ashes?
The Fubo Willow TV & Zee Family package is the best option for a trial, as it often includes a 7-day free trial. The other services do not offer full free trials, but Sling TV frequently offers discounted first-month pricing.
Can I cancel my subscription after The Ashes series ends?
Yes. All three recommended platforms (Willow TV, Fubo, and Sling) operate on a no-contract, month-to-month subscription model. You can easily cancel the renewal online before the next billing cycle.
Are replays guaranteed for the overnight matches?
Absolutely. Replays and VOD are essential features for watching The Ashes in USA. The full match is available on demand shortly after the live broadcast ends, ensuring you never miss a session.
What if a match is delayed or rained out?
Your subscription covers the full Test match, regardless of weather delays or extensions. The channels will switch to studio analysis or classic match footage during pauses, and the live coverage will resume the moment the players return to the field.
Why isn’t The Ashes on ESPN Select, since they show other cricket?
This is due to exclusive broadcast rights. Willow TV holds the specific and exclusive US rights to stream The Ashes (the Australia vs. England Test series). ESPN Select’s rights are limited to other specific tournaments, primarily the ICC events.
How is the streaming quality for The Ashes in the US?
The quality is consistently high. All licensed services deliver the stream in reliable HD (1080p) resolution. For the absolute best experience, ensure your internet connection speed meets the recommended minimum of 5-10 Mbps.
