Last Updated on 4 weeks ago by Dom Harris
Dates for the concurrent men’s and women’s Ashes series in England next year have now been finalised.
The 75th men’s Ashes gets underway on June 18, whilst the multi-format women’s series begins less than a week later on June 24, in what promises to be a blockbuster summer of cricket between two of sport’s biggest rivals.
Both Australian sides will arrive on English shores as holders, following the previous editions Down Under where the men romped to a 4-1 win last winter and the women swept the series with a 16-0 scoreline in early 2025.
Neither England side have won an Ashes series for more than 10 years.
England Men will take on Bangladesh at Lord’s (May 28-June 1) in the build-up to the Ashes, a first Test meeting between the two sides since 2016 and first in England for 17 years, whilst Pakistan and New Zealand will tour for white-ball series as preparations intensify for the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia later that year.
Meanwhile, the final of the fourth World Test Championship cycle has also been confirmed for The Oval, played from June 9-13, which is likely to include Australia as was the case ahead of the 2023 series – Australia’s involvement would clash with a warm-up game against England Lions that has been pencilled in for June 7-10 at Old Trafford.
Utilita Bowl makes Ashes bow
2027 will see Hampshire’s Utilita Bowl in Southampton host its first Ashes Test – the fourth match between July 21-25.
England have previously played six Tests at the Utilita Bowl, three of which under strict Covid protocols, whilst India and New Zealand also met there in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.
The recent T20I fixture between England and India at the ground was forced to be delayed due to severe traffic congestion in the surrounding area.
The series will begin at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge, the scene of England’s recent defeat to New Zealand and Ben Stokes’ final act as an England player, returning to the Ashes calendar for the first time since 2015.
England have won the last three Ashes Tests at Trent Bridge, the most recent being the famous day one morning when Stuart Broad claimed 8-15 as the hosts skittled Australia for just 60 to regain the urn.
The two sides will then head to the home of cricket at Lord’s (June 30-July 4), before heading back up to the Midlands for the always highly-anticipated Edgbaston fixture (July 8-12).
The Kia Oval retains its signature spot as the series finale, between July 29-August 2.
Headingley to host women’s Test after 26 years
Yorkshire’s iconic home does not have a men’s Test much to the disapproval of many, though will instead kickstart the women’s series with the only Test between June 24-27.
Headingley has held three previous England women’s Test matches, the last of which being a contest against Australia in 2001 – the 2027 clash will revert to a four-day fixture, despite the 2023 Test at Trent Bridge going to a fifth day.
England have not won an Ashes Test, nor a series, since triumphing away from home in 2013-14.
The T20 leg begins at Trent Bridge (July 3), moving on to the Kia Oval (July 6) and then Emirates Old Trafford (July 9) which has also lost its place in the men’s series.
Utilita Bowl (July 13), Lord’s (July 16) and Edgbaston (July 20) are the chosen venues for the three ODI matches to round off the series.
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