No Ashes 2027 Tests in the North of England

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday the exact fixture list for the 2027 Ashes series, which will see no matches played in the north of England. Both Old Trafford in Manchester and Headingley in Leeds have been omitted from the schedule, a decision criticized by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham when it was first revealed in 2023.

All five Tests will be held in the Midlands and south of England. The series opens at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 18, followed by Lord's on June 30, Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 8, the Rose Bowl in Hampshire starting July 21 – hosting its first Ashes Test – and concludes at the Oval in London from July 29 to August 2.

Missing out are two iconic venues that have hosted memorable Ashes moments. Don Bradman scored two triple centuries at Headingley in the 1930s, and Ian Botham produced heroic performances at both grounds during the 1981 series. In 2019, Ben Stokes hit a match-winning unbeaten century at Headingley as England won by one wicket.

Both Old Trafford and Headingley are scheduled to host Ashes Tests in 2031. The last Ashes series in Australia in 2025-26 ended with a 4-1 win for the hosts, while the previous series in England in 2023 finished 2-2. England's last Ashes series victory was in 2015, a 3-2 home win.

England will also play a one-off Test against Bangladesh at Lord's starting May 28. The 2027 World Test Championship final will be held at the Oval on June 9.