The next men’s Ashes series is set to take place in England in 2027, though exact dates have yet to be announced. Typically, the event occurs during the UK summer months.
The most recent Ashes series held in England ran from June 16 to July 31, 2023.
The five Test venues have already been confirmed:
– Lord’s (London)
– The Oval (London)
– Trent Bridge (Nottingham)
– The Utilita Bowl (Southampton)
– Edgbaston (Birmingham)
This will be the first time the Utilita Bowl has hosted a men’s Ashes Test match, making it the 10th venue in the UK to do so. Trent Bridge, The Oval, and Lord’s are scheduled to host Ashes Tests in both 2027 and 2031. Old Trafford (Manchester) and Headingley (Leeds) were not chosen for the 2027 series.
Why Are There No Matches in Northern England?
The 2027 Ashes will feature no venue in northern England, with Trent Bridge in Nottingham being the most northerly location among the five grounds. However, both Old Trafford and Headingley have been selected to host matches in the 2031 edition.
Venue allocation is based on criteria such as maximizing attendance and supporting the economic sustainability of the grounds. The absence of Old Trafford and Headingley has sparked considerable debate.
In 2023, the mayors of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire wrote to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), expressing their “disappointment” and urging a rethink of the venues.
“There should always be a men’s Ashes Test in the north of England, in any series,” said Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. “If we’re going to get the game to all parts of the country and really make sure that it’s connecting with people everywhere, we’ve got to have a men’s Ashes test in the north.”
England captain Ben Stokes also voiced his disappointment: “I think we perform well in the northern grounds, especially at Headingley. I’m a bit devastated that there won’t be any Ashes cricket here in 2027 in the North. It’s a shame. I don’t make those calls, but if I was involved, I would have said, ‘please keep at least one game in the north’.”
This marks the fourth time in the last seven Ashes series in England that Headingley has been left out. Yorkshire CEO Sanjay Patel commented, “At a time where we feel like we really needed help, we haven’t been given those games.”
