Ashes 2027 schedule out: England to begin Australia showdown on June 18

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a packed home schedule for 2027, headlined by the men's five-Test Ashes series against Australia and the women's multi-format Ashes, with both contests set to run simultaneously across one of the busiest summers in recent memory.England's bid to reclaim the men's Ashes after a 1-4 defeat in Australia last winter will begin at Trent Bridge on June 18, while the women's Ashes campaign gets underway just six days later with a one-off Test at Headingley on June 24.One of the biggest talking points of the schedule is the Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl) in Southampton, which will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time, becoming only the 10th venue in the UK to stage one of cricket's most celebrated rivalries. Historic first for Rose Bowl, no northern Test venuesThe men's Ashes will move from Trent Bridge to Lord's (June 30), Edgbaston (July 8), the Rose Bowl (July 21) and conclude at The Oval from July 29.However, the fixture list has sparked fresh debate after Headingley and Old Trafford were overlooked as Ashes Test venues, meaning England will not play a single Ashes Test in the north of England.Old Trafford had originally been earmarked to host a Test when venue allocations were announced in 2023, but will instead stage a one-day international against Pakistan. The omission had previously drawn criticism from Greater Manchester mayor, now Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.England will prepare for the Ashes with a one-off Test against Bangladesh at Lord's from May 28, while Australia will play a four-day warm-up match against England Lions at Old Trafford from June 7 under a new reciprocal agreement designed to provide touring sides with stronger preparation.Women's Ashes and packed international calendarThe women's Ashes will once again follow the multi-format points system, with the Test worth four points and each white-ball match worth two.Following the Headingley Test, England and Australia will contest three T20Is at Trent Bridge, The Oval and Old Trafford before concluding with three ODIs at Southampton, Lord's and Edgbaston.The series comes just months after Australia defeated England in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final, extending their dominance in the rivalry. England, meanwhile, will be aiming to secure their first women's Ashes Test victory since 2014 after suffering a 16-0 series defeat in Australia in 2025.Beyond the Ashes, England's men's summer will begin with a five-match ODI series against Pakistan before the Bangladesh Test. The home season will conclude with three T20Is and five ODIs against New Zealand in September as England fine-tune preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.England Women will finish their home campaign with T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh.The ECB also confirmed that The Oval will host the 2027 World Test Championship final from June 9 to 13, making it the second time the London venue has staged the championship decider. Full Schedule:England Men vs Pakistan1st ODI - 15 May, Utilita Bowl, Southampton2nd ODI - 19 May, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester3rd ODI - 21 May, Headingley, Leeds4th ODI - 23 May, Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street5th ODI - 26 May, Sophia Gardens, CardiffEngland Men vs BangladeshOnly Test - 28 May to 1 June, Lord's, LondonEngland Men vs Australia (Ashes)1st Test - 18 to 22 June, Trent Bridge, Nottingham2nd Test - 30 June to 4 July, Lord's, London3rd Test - 8 to 12 July, Edgbaston, Birmingham4th Test - 21 to 25 July, Utilita Bowl, Southampton5th Test - 29 July to 2 August, Kia Oval, LondonEngland Women vs Australia (Ashes)Only Test - 24 to 27 June, Headingley, Leeds1st T20I - 3 July, Trent Bridge, Nottingham2nd T20I - 6 July, Kia Oval, London3rd T20I - 9 July, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester1st ODI - 13 July, Utilita Bowl, Southampton2nd ODI - 16 July, Lord's, London3rd ODI - 20 July, Edgbaston, BirminghamEngland Men vs New Zealand1st T20I - 7 September, Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street2nd T20I - 9 September, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester3rd T20I - 11 September, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff1st ODI - 14 September, Edgbaston, Birmingham2nd ODI - 16 September, Lord's, London3rd ODI - 19 September, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol4th ODI - 22 September, Trent Bridge, Nottingham5th ODI - 25 September, Headingley, LeedsEngland Women vs Bangladesh1st T20I - 8 September, cinch County Ground, Northampton2nd T20I - 10 September, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton3rd T20I - 12 September, New Road, Worcester1st ODI - 17 September, County Ground, Hove2nd ODI - 21 September, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury3rd ODI - 24 September, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, ChelmsfordGet the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.