The new $1.6 billion Perth Stadium will not be ready in time for the Ashes cricket series in December this year, the WA Government has confirmed.

Sport Minister Mick Murray said the stadium construction schedule put in place by the former Barnett government could not be met.

He said it was "unfortunate" the Test would not be able to be played at the new venue.

"But the timeframe that was put in place by the previous government just wasn't able to be accommodated," he said.

"So that will be off the track and the Test will be played at the WACA."

Mr Murray said there was still a possibility the one day match between Australia and England could be played at the new stadium.

A concert by British singer Ed Sheeran is likely to be the first event at the end of March next year.

"The concert is at this stage the first one — but as an official opening, we're still working on that," Mr Murray said.

The Sport Minister said there was no delay, because the stadium was always due to be opened at the start of the 2018 AFL season.

Barnett government's stadium time-frame 'outlandish'

Mr Murray said the previous government had made "outlandish statements" about what could be achieved, adding Labor would not open the stadium prematurely.

Construction of the venue is 82 per cent complete according to stadium management. ( ABC News: Tom Wildie )

"There's one thing we're adamant about, we're not having people going into the stadium with it half done," he said.

"We want the first experience in the stadium to be the best experience, so they come back again.

"But if you go there and the toilets don't work or you can't get in there in the bus because of other problems, it will just be a let down for the whole of Western Australia."

The project also faces delays to the construction of a pedestrian foot bridge linking the stadium site to East Perth.

Cricket Australia released a statement saying Big Bash matches will be played at the WACA for the upcoming season.

"Both Cricket Australia and the WACA remain hopeful that the One-Day International against England, scheduled for 28 January 2018, will be played at the new stadium," the statement said.

"Cricket will continue to work with the WA Government and stadium management to achieve this outcome."

Tickets for the Test, which starts on 14 December, went on sale this month.