ECB reveals 2027 Ashes schedule: Men's series starts June 18 at Trent Bridge
Synopsis
The ECB has confirmed the full 2027 home Ashes schedule — and it breaks new ground on multiple fronts. The Utilita Bowl will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time, Headingley returns to the women's calendar for the first time since 2001, and England's Mixed Disability side will feature in an Ashes summer for the first time. Three England teams, one historic summer.
Key Takeaways
England Men open the five-Test 2027 Ashes against Australia at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on 18 June 2027 .
The Utilita Bowl, Southampton will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time ever (21–25 July).
England Women begin the Metro Bank Women's Ashes at Headingley, Leeds on 24 June — the first women's Ashes Test there since 2001 .
A four-day warm-up between England Lions and Australia is scheduled at Emirates Old Trafford from 7–10 June .
The England Men's Mixed Disability team will also face Australia during the Ashes summer; fixtures to be confirmed.
ECB CEO Richard Gould called the disability team's inclusion 'a landmark moment' for English cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday, 23 July released the full schedule for the 2027 home Ashes series, confirming that England Men will open their five-Test campaign against Australia at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on 18 June 2027, while England Women will launch their multi-format Ashes from 24 June at Headingley, Leeds.
Men's Ashes: Venues and Key Dates
England Men return to Trent Bridge for the series opener — a venue where they have won each of the last three Ashes Tests against Australia. The five-Test series then travels to Lord's, Edgbaston, and the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, which will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time ever, before concluding at The Kia Oval, London, from 29 July. A four-day warm-up match between Australia and a full-strength England Lions side is scheduled at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from 7 to 10 June, subject to review should Australia reach the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Women's Ashes: Historic Return to Headingley
The Metro Bank Women's Ashes begins with a Test at Headingley on 24 June — the first women's Ashes Test in Leeds since 2001. The multi-format series then moves through three Vitality IT20 matches at Trent Bridge, The Kia Oval, and Emirates Old Trafford, before an ODI leg at the Utilita Bowl, Lord's, and Edgbaston, where the final fixture is scheduled for 20 July.
Added Significance After Recent Rivalry
The 2027 series carries heightened stakes on both fronts. England Women shared the points in the previous home Ashes against Australia, and the two sides met in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final earlier this year. On the men's side, the series presents England with an opportunity to build on their recent Trent Bridge record against the old rival.
What the ECB Chief Executive Said
ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould described the 2027 summer as a landmark for English cricket. 'The Ashes is the pinnacle of our sport, and it is significant that next summer we will have three England teams playing against Australia at venues across the country,' Gould said. He highlighted the Utilita Bowl's men's Ashes debut and Headingley's return to the women's calendar as defining features of the schedule, adding that the inclusion of the England Men's Mixed Disability team during an Ashes summer is 'a landmark moment.' The schedule for those disability fixtures is to be announced at a later date.
Full 2027 Ashes Schedule at a Glance
England Men v Australia:
7–10 June: Warm-up — England Lions v Australia, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
18–22 June: 1st Test — Trent Bridge, Nottingham
30 June – 4 July: 2nd Test — Lord's, London
8–12 July: 3rd Test — Edgbaston, Birmingham
21–25 July: 4th Test — Utilita Bowl, Southampton
29 July – 2 August: 5th Test — Kia Oval, London
England Women v Australia (Metro Bank Women's Ashes):
24–27 June: 1st Test — Headingley, Leeds
3 July: 1st IT20 — Trent Bridge, Nottingham
6 July: 2nd IT20 — Kia Oval, London
9 July: 3rd IT20 — Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
13 July: 1st ODI — Utilita Bowl, Southampton
16 July: 2nd ODI — Lord's, London
20 July: 3rd ODI — Edgbaston, Birmingham
The ECB also confirmed that a reciprocal warm-up arrangement will be put in place when England tours Australia in 2029. With three England teams set to feature across the summer, the 2027 Ashes is shaping up to be one of the most expansive editions of the rivalry in modern cricket history.
Point of View
While restoring Headingley to the women's calendar after a 24-year absence acknowledges how far the women's game has grown in public profile. The inclusion of the Mixed Disability side during an Ashes summer is symbolically significant, though the ECB's decision to leave those fixture dates unconfirmed at launch risks underselling the moment. The broader question is whether three simultaneous England teams on the same summer calendar stretches broadcast, ticketing, and fan attention — or whether the ECB has correctly read that appetite for women's and disability cricket is now robust enough to sustain it.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2027 men's Ashes start?
The 2027 men's Ashes begins on 18 June 2027 with the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The five-match series concludes at The Kia Oval, London, from 29 July to 2 August.
Which venues will host the 2027 men's Ashes Tests?
The five Tests will be played at Trent Bridge (Nottingham), Lord's (London), Edgbaston (Birmingham), the Utilita Bowl (Southampton), and The Kia Oval (London). The Utilita Bowl will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time.
When and where does the 2027 Women's Ashes start?
England Women open the Metro Bank Women's Ashes with a Test at Headingley, Leeds, on 24 June 2027 — the first women's Ashes Test at that ground since 2001. The multi-format series includes T20Is and ODIs through to 20 July.
What is the warm-up match before the 2027 Ashes?
A four-day warm-up between England Lions and Australia is scheduled at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from 7 to 10 June 2027. The fixture is subject to review if Australia qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Will the England Mixed Disability team play in the 2027 Ashes summer?
Yes. The ECB confirmed that the England Men's Mixed Disability team will face Australia during the 2027 Ashes summer. Specific match dates and venues are yet to be announced.
