2027 Ashes schedule set with men's series starting at Trent Bridge
England and Australia will compete in concurrent men's and women's Ashes series in 2027, with the men's competition introducing a mixed disability series for the first time.
2027 Ashes schedule set with men's series starting at Trent Bridge
England and Australia will compete in concurrent men's and women's Ashes series during the summer of 2027, with the men's competition beginning at Trent Bridge on June 18. The full international schedule announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also introduces a men's mixed disability Ashes series for the first time.
Men's Ashes and World Test Championship
The men's Rothesay Ashes Series consists of five Tests. Following the opener in Nottingham, the series moves to Lord's and Edgbaston. The fourth Test will be held from July 21-25 at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, marking the first time the ground has hosted a men's Ashes Test and making it the 10th British venue to do so. The series concludes at the Kia Oval from July 29 to August 2.
The schedule includes a tight window between the second and third Tests, with only four days of break before the action resumes at Edgbaston from July 8-12. England enters the series seeking to recover from a 4-1 defeat in Australia earlier this year. Trent Bridge has been a stronghold for the hosts, who have won their last three Ashes tests there, including a 2015 victory where Australia was bowled out for 60.
Additionally, The Oval will host the ICC World Test Championship Final from June 9-13. This event marks the end of the fourth edition of the championship and coincides with the 150th anniversary of Test cricket. As part of a deal with the ICC, the ECB will host the next three finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
Women's Ashes and Multi-Format Competition
The Metro Bank Women's Ashes will also run through June and July. The series opens with a one-off Test at Headingley from June 24-27, the first time a women's Ashes Test has been held in Leeds since 2001. Unlike previous iterations, this red-ball match has been reduced to a four-day contest.
Following the Test, the rivalry shifts to a three-match Vitality IT20 series starting at Trent Bridge on July 3, followed by matches at the Kia Oval and Emirates Old Trafford. The series ends with three one-day internationals at the Utilita Bowl, Lord's, and Edgbaston, concluding on July 20.
The women's team faces a steep climb after being whitewashed 16-0 in the 2025 series in Australia. Under the points system, the Test is worth four points, while each T20I and ODI is worth two.
New Frontiers and Mixed Disability Cricket
For the first time, a men's mixed disability Ashes series will be contested, featuring players with physical, intellectual, or hearing impairments. This marks Australia's first international event in the format, which was introduced globally in 2025. While the ECB has confirmed the series, specific dates and venues are yet to be announced. Australia will use the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in Ballarat in January as part of their selection process.
Other International Fixtures
The England men's summer begins on May 15 with a five-match ODI series against Pakistan at venues including the Utilita Bowl, Headingley, and Sophia Gardens. This is followed by a one-off Test against Bangladesh at Lord's from May 28 to June 1, the first home Test against Bangladesh since 2010.
To prepare for the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup in southern Africa in October, the men's team will host New Zealand in September for three T20s and five ODIs. The England women will also host Bangladesh in September for six white-ball matches.
Regional Controversy and Preparation
The selection of venues has drawn criticism regarding the lack of northern representation in the men's schedule. With Old Trafford and Headingley omitted from the 2027 men's Ashes, Nottingham remains the most northerly venue. This follows disappointment expressed by the mayors of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire after the venues were picked in 2023. Ben Stokes previously described the lack of northern Tests as a shame
.
To provide preparation, a warm-up match between the England Lions and Australia is scheduled for Emirates Old Trafford from June 7-10. However, this fixture will be revisited if Australia qualifies for the World Test Championship final.
| Test | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Trent Bridge | June 18-22 |
| 2nd Test | Lord's | June 30-July 4 |
| 3rd Test | Edgbaston | July 8-12 |
| 4th Test | Utilita Bowl | July 21-25 |
| 5th Test | Kia Oval | July 29-August 2 |
