Fixtures released for bumper Men's domestic season

Fixtures for season 2026-27, released today, confirmed WA would host Tasmania in the first four-day clash at the venue since 2018 from 23 November.

WA played New South Wales in the first Sheffield Shield game at Perth Stadium, which was less than a month before the first Test Match at the venue between Australia and India.

The clash between WA and Tasmania commences little more than two weeks before the NRMA Insurance West Test between Australia and New Zealand at the same venue.

Both teams were involved in two thrilling finishes last season, with Tasmania winning both encounters by 22 and three runs.

It will also kickstart an enormous week for WA Cricket, with Perth Scorchers taking on Hobart Hurricanes in the last of four Weber WBBL|12 home games at the WACA Ground on Friday 27 November.

WA will stay in the comforts of home for the first five weeks of season 2026-27, playing two Sheffield Shield matches and four One-Day Cup games at the WACA Ground before their first lot of interstate travel.

Beau Casson’s first match as full-time Head Coach of the WA Men’s team will be a day-night One-Day Cup match against South Australia at the WACA Ground on Friday 18 September.

The team will then take on last season’s runners-up Tasmania at the same venue on Sunday 20 September.

As was the case in the Sheffield Shield, last season’s One-Day Cup clashes between WA and Tasmania were close encounters, with WA winning the most recent encounter by one-wicket at the WACA Ground.

Newly appointed red ball skipper Aaron Hardie, meanwhile, is poised to launch his Sheffield Shield captaincy career against Queensland at the WACA Ground from Thursday 8 October.

WA’s will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s clash between the sides at the WACA Ground, which was the scene of the hosts lone win for the season.

Both States will meet again at the same venue on Tuesday 13 October for a One-Day Cup contest, before WA hosts New South Wales for Shield (Monday 19 October) and One-Day Cup (Saturday 24 October) games the following week.

WA’s final two home matches of the Sheffield Shield season will be held at the WACA Ground against 2025-26 finalists South Australia and Victoria from 20 February and 2 March respectively.

In addition to the match at Optus Stadium, each of WA’s away Shield games will be played at Test Match venues including Adelaide Oval (from 28 October), the MCG (11 November), the SCG (3 December), the Gabba (8 February) and Ninja Stadium (14 March).

Casson said the fixture provided WA with a golden opportunity to build early momentum at home.   

“We are really looking forward to starting the new season at the WACA Ground, which we’re eager to make our fortress.

“Front-ending the year with such a big block of games at home is an exciting opportunity, both for us as well as our Members and fans.

“The guys are also very eager to showcase their skills in some of the country’s biggest venues, with Optus Stadium top of that list.”

WA Cricket General Manager – High Performance Cricket and Elite Teams Kade Harvey said it promised to be an exciting Men’s Domestic season across two venues.    
 
“We are pleased our Men’s team get the opportunity to play a home Sheffield Shield match at Optus Stadium this season, as well as four at the WACA Ground.

“The Sheffield Shield match at Optus Stadium will also provide players, coaches and staff the valuable opportunity familiarise themselves at the venue under match conditions before the NRMA Insurance West Test and KFC BBL|16 in the ensuing two months.

“We are looking forward to our Men’s team, under the guidance of new Head Coach Beau Casson, having a really strong season in 2026-27.”