Few fixtures in world cricket carry quite the same weight as an Ashes series on home soil. For England fans still processing the mixed emotions of 2023, the good news is that the wait for the next instalment won't feel endless — the men's Ashes returns to England in 2027, and the planning is already well underway. As someone who has followed, coached and analysed cricket for decades, I can tell you the buzz around a home Ashes always starts building years in advance, and this one is no different.
When Does the 2027 Ashes Begin?
Precise dates for the 2027 series are yet to be formally announced, but as tradition dictates, the matches will be played during the English summer. If the 2023 series offers any guide — running from mid-June through to the end of July — supporters should plan around a similar window. Keep an eye on the ECB's official announcements over the coming months as scheduling is confirmed. From a betting perspective, the outright market for the 2027 series winner is likely to open well in advance, so early prices could offer genuine value for those willing to commit early.
Which Grounds Will Host the Tests?
Five venues have been selected to stage the matches, and the list includes one particularly exciting newcomer. The Utilita Bowl in Southampton will host a men's Ashes Test for the very first time, becoming the tenth UK ground to hold that distinction. It's a significant moment for the Hampshire venue and a reward for the investment the ground has made in its facilities over recent years.
Alongside Southampton, Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Lord's and The Oval have all been confirmed as hosts. Notably, both Trent Bridge and The Oval, along with Lord's, will also feature in the 2031 Ashes series, giving those venues a long-term guarantee of the sport's most prestigious bilateral contest.
The North of England Controversy
If there's one topic generating real heat ahead of 2027, it's the absence of any northern venues. Old Trafford in Manchester and Headingley in Leeds — two grounds with enormous Ashes heritage — have been left out of the 2027 rota entirely. Trent Bridge, situated in Nottingham, will be the most northerly ground in the series, which has sparked significant frustration in cricket communities further north.
The issue reached political levels as far back as 2023, when the mayors of both Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire wrote to the ECB expressing their disappointment and calling on the board to reconsider. Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham was particularly direct, telling the BBC: "There should always be a men's Ashes Test in the north of England, in any series." It's a sentiment many cricket supporters will find hard to argue with. To be fair to the ECB, their selection criteria is built around maximising attendances and ensuring the financial sustainability of grounds — but that explanation will offer little comfort to fans in Leeds and Manchester. The silver lining is that both Old Trafford and Headingley are already pencilled in for the 2031 series.
What Does This Mean for English Cricket?
A home Ashes is always a commercial and sporting landmark for English cricket. Five Tests across marquee grounds generates enormous revenue, drives grassroots interest and gives the England men's side the chance to reclaim some pride after a difficult run in Australia. How Brendon McCullum's Bazball philosophy holds up over a full home Ashes campaign will be one of the defining questions as we approach 2027.
For now, fans have time to plan, grounds have time to prepare, and the selectors have time to build squads capable of going the distance. The 2027 Ashes may still feel distant, but in the world of cricket, the countdown has very much already begun.
