By AFP

This article was published on 23 July 2026.

The Ashes is a historic Test cricket series between England and Australia, first contested in 1882.

There will be no Ashes matches in the north of England next year, when Australia arrive for Test cricket’s oldest rivalry.

Both Headingley and Old Trafford have been venues for some of the most memorable Ashes contests.

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Don Bradman, arguably cricket’s greatest batsman, scored two triple centuries at Headingley in the 1930s.

During the 1981 Ashes, Ian Botham achieved remarkable individual performances at these grounds.

Headingley was also the venue for a remarkable unbeaten century by England’s Ben Stokes in a one-wicket win during the 2019 series.

England's Ben Stokes celebrates as they win the third test against Australia, in Headingley, Leeds, Britain August 25, 2019. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers SEARCH "POY SPORTS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "REUTERS POY" FOR ALL BEST OF 2019 PACKAGES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
England’s Ben Stokes celebrates as they win the third Test against Australia, in Headingley, Leeds, in August 2019 [Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters]

But both venues have been left off the schedule for the 2027 Ashes – a decision criticised by new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, then the mayor of Greater Manchester – when it was announced in 2023.

On Thursday, the ECB released the detailed schedule for the 2027 Ashes, confirming all five Tests will take place in the Midlands and southern England.

Hampshire’s Rose Bowl, near Southampton, will stage its first Ashes Test from July 21 – the fourth of the series.

It will become the 10th ground in the United Kingdom to stage a men’s Ashes Test.

Cricket - Women's Test Match - England v India - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - July 10, 2026 General view inside the stadium as players line up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Lord’s recently hosted its first-ever women’s Test, as India defeated England [File: Peter Cziborra/Reuters]

The series will start at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 18, with Lord’s – as is traditional – staging the second Test on June 30 and Edgbaston in Birmingham the third on July 8.

The Ashes will conclude at the Oval in south London with the July 29-August 2 Test.

Old Trafford and Headingley are both set to stage Ashes Tests in 2031.

Australia triumphed 4-1 on home soil during the 2025-26 Ashes. The last Ashes series in England ended in a 2-2 draw in 2023.

England’s last Ashes series success was a 3-2 home victory in 2015.

They are also due to play a one-off Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s from May 28.

The 2027 World Test Championship final will be held at the Oval starting on June 9, the second time the venue has hosted the title match.

The omission of northern venues has drawn criticism, notably from then-mayor Andy Burnham. While the Rose Bowl in Hampshire will host its maiden Ashes Test, traditional grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford boast legendary Ashes moments, including Ben Stokes' 2019 century. The ECB's decision reflects a shift in venue allocation, possibly influenced by commercial or infrastructure factors. This marks only the 10th ground in the UK to host a men's Ashes Test.