No Ashes 2027 Tests planned for northern England, report says

England will not host Australia at either Old Trafford or Headingley during the 2027 Ashes, according to a report cited by Al Jazeera. The update points to a scheduling pattern that would leave the north of England without a men’s Ashes Test in that series. For English cricket followers, the detail matters because Old Trafford in Manchester and Headingley in Leeds are among the country’s best-known Test venues and regular touchpoints for high-profile international fixtures. When they are left out of an Ashes itinerary, it changes the geography of one of the sport’s biggest rivalries and shifts attention toward the grounds that do make the cut. The Ashes remains one of cricket’s most closely watched events, and venue selection tends to draw strong interest well before the first ball is bowled. Fans often look at the schedule not only for the cricket itself, but also for what it means for access, travel, local economies and atmosphere. In that sense, the absence of northern venues will be felt beyond the scorecards. At this stage, the confirmed detail from the feed is limited to the reported omission of Old Trafford and Headingley. The broader 2027 match list, the number of Tests, and the final venue allocation have not been provided in the available summary. That means any fuller reading of the schedule should be treated cautiously until the official itinerary is published or widely confirmed. The report also leaves open the question of how the series will be distributed across England. In recent Ashes campaigns, venue selection has often reflected a mix of tradition, commercial considerations and logistical planning. Without the complete schedule in hand, it is not possible to say whether the omission of the two northern grounds signals a one-off decision, a broader regional shift or simply a rotation choice within the host calendar. What is clear is that this will disappoint supporters who associate the Ashes with big summer occasions in Manchester and Leeds. Both grounds have produced memorable Test moments over the years, and both are capable of staging intense, well-attended matches when England face Australia. For now, the main takeaway is straightforward: according to Al Jazeera’s report, the 2027 Ashes will not include Tests at Old Trafford or Headingley. Until the full fixture list is released, that remains the key verified detail. Cricket administrators, broadcasters and supporters will be watching closely for the final shape of the series and for any explanation of how the venues were chosen.

Source: Al Jazeera Latest - https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/7/23/cricket-no-ashes-2027-tests-to-take-place-in-the-north-of-england?traffic_source=rss