The New Year Test returns to the Sydney Cricket Ground from Monday 4 to Friday 8 January 2027, with Australia hosting New Zealand in the NRMA Insurance Pink Test, the fourth and final match of the Trans-Tasman Trophy. This guide covers the dates, the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day tradition, how to reach Moore Park by train and light rail, the Big Bash games at the SCG the same month, and where to stay at Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney in Summer Hill, with free secured parking and rooms from $140.
The Sydney Test 2027: dates and the series
The Sydney Test is scheduled for 4 to 8 January 2027 at the SCG, with play from 10:30 am each day. Australia play New Zealand in the fourth and final Test of the Trans-Tasman Trophy, following the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, so the series can still be decided in Sydney. The fixtures were confirmed by Cricket NSW and the SCG as part of the 2026-27 international summer.
With the match running Monday to Friday in 2027, a midweek stay lines up with the lowest room rates.
The Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day
The Sydney Test is the Pink Test, played each January in support of the McGrath Foundation, whose nurses have provided supportive care to people with breast cancer for 20 years and are now extending that care to all cancers. Day three, Wednesday 6 January 2027, is Jane McGrath Day, named for Glenn McGrath's late wife: fans are encouraged to wear pink and turn the SCG into a sea of pink for the Foundation.
Jane McGrath Day is the most popular day of the match for families and groups, so plan your Sydney stay around the Wednesday and pack something pink.
- Day one Monday 4 January, play from 10:30 am
- Jane McGrath Day: day three, Wednesday 6 January 2027, wear pink
- The SCG turns pink in support of the McGrath Foundation
- Fourth and final Test of the Trans-Tasman Trophy against New Zealand
- Day five Friday 8 January, if the match goes the distance
Getting to the SCG from Summer Hill
Summer Hill station is a 400 m walk from the motel, about four to five minutes, on the T2 Inner West & Leppington line, and trains reach Central in about 15 minutes. From Central, the L2 and L3 light rail run to Moore Park, beside the SCG, or take the event buses from Central on match days.
After stumps the light rail and trains run late into the evening; check Transport for NSW for the day's timetable. Leave the car in the motel's free secured car park.
A day at the cricket: what works
January in Sydney is hot and bright, and much of the SCG's general seating is in full sun for the first session, so a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses come first, with a refillable bottle filled from the motel's free Purezza premium water refills. Check the SCG and Cricket Australia conditions of entry before you pack a bag, as they set out what spectators may bring in, and arrive in good time for the first ball at 10:30 am.
Big Bash at the SCG in December and January
The Sydney Sixers play their KFC BBL|16 home games at the SCG around the Test. Christmas at the Sixers against the Melbourne Renegades is on Tuesday 22 December 2026 at 7:15 pm and the Boxing Day Bash against the Brisbane Heat on Saturday 26 December 2026 at 6:05 pm. After the Test, the Community Round match against the Perth Scorchers is on Sunday 10 January 2027 at 2:10 pm, and the Sydney Smash against the Sydney Thunder closes the SCG season on Friday 15 January 2027 at 7:15 pm.
The Thunder play at ENGIE Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park, a train ride from Summer Hill with a change at Lidcombe.
Where to stay for the Sydney Test 2027
Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney is an independent 3.5-star motel at 42-44 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, about 6.5 km west of the Sydney CBD and a four-minute walk from Summer Hill station. Rooms are from $140 a night Monday to Thursday and from $200 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, public holidays and high seasons, so the first four nights of the Test from Monday 4 January 2027 are from $140 and Friday 8 January from $200. Single, queen, deluxe and family rooms sleep up to five, each air-conditioned with a private ensuite, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster.
Every booking includes one free secured undercover parking spot with gated, CCTV-monitored 24-hour access, free unlimited Wi-Fi and free Purezza premium water refills. Reception is open 24 hours, check-in is from 2 pm and check-out by 10 am, and arrivals after 11 pm are welcome with a small late check-in fee. There is no restaurant on site; Summer Hill's cafes and bakeries are a short walk away, and rooms have a kettle, toaster and microwave for an early breakfast before the first session. Book direct on the website or on 02 8880 8320 for the best rate with no booking fees.
Why guests choose us
Five days of Test cricket, one train and tram
- Australia v New Zealand at the SCG, 4 to 8 January 2027
- Jane McGrath Day on Wednesday 6 January: wear pink
- Train to Central, then L2/L3 light rail to Moore Park
- Sixers v Scorchers 10 January and Sydney Smash 15 January at the SCG
- One free secured undercover parking spot per booking
- Rooms from $140 Monday to Thursday during the Test
Gallery
A look around & nearby
Photos: Ashes 2010-11 Sydney Test final wicket by Johnlp, CC BY-SA 3.0; Sydney Cricket Ground Members Pavilion 3 January 2020 by Simeon King, CC BY-SA 4.0; SCG Member's Pavilion (23904139542) by Rajiv Bhuttan, CC BY 2.0; Shane Warne MelbourneStars by Mathew F, CC BY 2.0; Moore Park Light Rail Station by JustARandomEditor123, CC BY-SA 4.0; Grand Concourse at Central railway station, Sydney 03 by Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0; Allianz Stadium Sydney by Simon_sees, CC BY 2.0
Coming up at the SCG
- Men's T20 International Series - Australia v England29 Nov 2026 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- BBL - Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades22 Dec 2026 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- BBL - Boxing Day: Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat26 Dec 2026 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- NRMA Insurance Pink Test - Australia v New Zealand4 – 7 Jan 2027 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- BBL - Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers10 Jan 2027 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- BBL - Sydney Smash: Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder15 Jan 2027 · Sydney Cricket Ground
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sydney Test 2027 and who is playing?
The Sydney Test runs from Monday 4 to Friday 8 January 2027 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with play from 10:30 am. Australia play New Zealand in the fourth and final Test of the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
Is the Sydney Test 2027 the Pink Test?
Yes. The Sydney Test is the NRMA Insurance Pink Test, played in support of the McGrath Foundation. Day three, Wednesday 6 January 2027, is Jane McGrath Day, when fans wear pink and the ground turns pink.
How do I get to the SCG by public transport?
Take the train to Central, then the L2 or L3 light rail to Moore Park beside the SCG, or the event buses from Central on match days. From Summer Hill station the train to Central is about 15 minutes.
Are there Big Bash games at the SCG in January 2027?
Yes. The Sydney Sixers host the Perth Scorchers in the Community Round on Sunday 10 January 2027 at 2:10 pm and the Sydney Thunder in the Sydney Smash on Friday 15 January 2027 at 7:15 pm.
Where should I stay for the Sydney Test?
Summer Hill is about 15 minutes by train from Central, where the light rail to Moore Park starts. Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney has rooms from $140 Monday to Thursday and from $200 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, with free secured parking and 24-hour reception.
Book online here
Stay for the Sydney Test 2027
Rooms from $140 with free secured parking, 24-hour reception and the train to Central for the light rail to the SCG.