The England and Wales Cricket Board announced its 2027 international schedule on July 23, 2026, confirming that men’s Ashes Tests will be restricted entirely to the Midlands and south of England, shutting out northern venues like Headingley and Old Trafford from the flagship series.
The 2027 Men’s Ashes Venues and Northern Exclusion
When Australia arrives for the 2027 edition of Test cricket’s oldest rivalry, northern fans will not see a single match. The England and Wales Cricket Board (sportstar.thehindu.com) confirmed that all five men’s Ashes Tests are restricted to the Midlands and the south. Leeds’ Headingley and Manchester’s Old Trafford, both rich with Ashes history, have been left off the schedule.
The decision to drop Manchester and Leeds from the men’s calendar has proven divisive, effectively alienating the north of the country. This choice echoes criticism first raised when the venue allocation was initially announced in 2023 by then-mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, now the UK prime minister, as SuperSport reported. Both northern grounds are slated to stage Ashes Tests again in 2031.
Complete Men’s Ashes Schedule and Southampton’s Debut
The men’s series opens at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 18, 2027. Australia enters the campaign seeking an away Ashes series victory in England for the first time since 2001, defending the urn after a 4-1 home series win in the 2025/26 season, according to news.com.au. Trent Bridge represents a difficult venue for the tourists, who have not won a men’s Ashes Test there in a quarter of a century.
Lord’s hosts the traditional second Test starting June 30, while Edgbaston in Birmingham takes the third match on July 8. Hampshire’s Rose Bowl near Southampton will stage its first men’s Ashes Test as the fourth match of the series, beginning on July 21. The tour concludes at The Oval in south London from July 29.
Tight Turnarounds and World Test Championship Pressures
Australia sits atop the World Test Championship standings and has reached the past two finals. However, securing a spot in the June 9–13, 2027 title match at The Oval is far from certain given upcoming tours to South Africa and India. Should the Australian men qualify and the WTC final push to a fifth day on June 13, the squad faces a demanding turnaround of less than five days before the Ashes opener at Trent Bridge.
A scheduled tour match against the England Lions starting June 7 at Old Trafford will likely be scrapped if Australia reaches the WTC final. ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould noted the challenges of the packed summer schedule in the Sportstar report.
“The last time Australia were here made for captivating cricket, in a way that only the Ashes can provide, as both of our Men’s and Women’s teams fought back to level the series in dramatic circumstances.”
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Ashes and Multi-Format Integration
The multi-format women’s Ashes series runs alongside the men’s fixtures, beginning with a four-day Test match at Headingley on June 24. This marks the first time the venue has hosted a women’s Ashes Test since 2001. Holding both series concurrently mirrors the 2023 arrangement in England, which successfully boosted crowds for women’s fixtures.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg emphasized the team’s readiness across formats. As news.com.au noted, the women’s side returns to England looking to assert dominance following recent success.
“I’m confident the dedication of the players and the expert planning of the coaches and support staff will ensure both teams are at their very best throughout an exciting English summer.”
Todd Greenberg, CA Chief
First-Ever Mixed Disability Ashes Series Added to 2027 Lineup
In addition to the men’s and women’s contests, the 2027 summer will feature the inaugural Mixed Disability Ashes series between Australia and England, as Telangana Today reported. The format brings together cricketers with physical, intellectual, or hearing impairments into a single team.
International mixed disability cricket was introduced in 2025, with England and India contesting the initial two editions. The 2027 tour marks Australia’s first international event in this format. Selection for the squad involves a feature match at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in Ballarat next January, according to Cricketnmore.
“It really signals the next step of Mixed Disability Cricket to be able to introduce an Ashes, it’s a hugely meaningful progression for the game. All cricket fans understand the importance of an Ashes series.”
Ian Martin, England Cricket Board Head of Disability Cricket
The inclusion of Australia in the series represents a significant milestone in the ongoing growth and international expansion of the mixed disability format.
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