Darwin’s TIO Stadium (pictured) is in line to host its first Test in more than two decades in 2026 with the Australian cricket team set to play Bangladesh in a two-match series as Cricket Australia looks to capitalise on more winter international fixtures, according to a cricket.com.au report recently. 

In a major tick for NT Cricket’s dedicated grounds crew, led by head of facilities and TIO curator Jake Pavlich as well as Steve Bailey and his team at Green by Nature who have been responsible for the maintenance and preparation of the pristine playing outfield, players were understood to be thrilled with the facility with the appetite for cricket in the Top End growing substantially after a jam-packed 2025 calendar to date.

The stadium installed its drop-in wickets, led by Pavlich and Angus Vear, in June this year and were put to the ultimate test with a series of key first-class and international fixtures recently.

TIO - otherwise known as Marrara Oval - hosted two draws in unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A in July, as well as T20s against South Africa in August - the first time international cricket was played at the venue since 2008. The pitches were first used for Under 19 Men’s World Cup qualifiers in 2023.

“We feel like we’ve got a world-class facility and we’ve got the staffing to do it. The conditions are great for cricket at this time of the year and we feel like we can host whatever comes our way,” Pavlich recently told the ASTMA after the South African matches, which drew huge crowds.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told cricket.com.au Darwin was the ideal choice to host one of two Tests - the city’s first since hosting Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

"We want to make sure we continue to play cricket in lots of different locations, so the next generation of kids can see their stars,” he said. "I spent some time with the Chief Minister there and they've got a strong appetite for more cricket, as have we, to play more cricket there.

"The conditions up there are amazing when you take out the biggest variable we have in cricket, which is weather, and you have nothing to worry about." 

Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena (pictured far right), which was recently upgraded in 2023 and hosted two international fixtures against South Africa to great success with praise heaped on the playing surface, Cairns and Townsville will likely jostle to host the second Test.

If Mackay is selected for its historic first ever Test, it would be a huge moment for head grounds manager Peter Kazakoff and his team, which possesses a world-class five-pitch wicket-table with Legend couch grass.

A Queensland match would count as the state’s Test for the 2026-27 summer, given the Gabba won’t be in action with New Zealand to tour the country.

Story by Nick Creely/Pictures courtesy of NT Cricket and Peter Kazakoff