Ashes 2027 — London Test Match Hub

🏏 THE ASHES · SUMMER 2027

Ashes 2027 — London Test Match Hub

England host Australia across five Tests in summer 2027 — the first full home Ashes series since 2023. Two of the five matches are played in London: at Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood and at The Kia Oval in Kennington. Whether you’re planning to attend one day or go for the full match, this page is your starting point for seating, transport, ballot access and everything else you need to plan your trip.

Last updated: 13 July 2026

1882 — where the name came from

The Ashes is the world’s oldest and most storied Test cricket rivalry, contested between England and Australia since 1882. The name comes from a satirical mock obituary published in The Sporting Times on 2 September 1882, following Australia’s seven-run victory over England at The Oval — their first ever Test win on English soil. The obituary mourned the death of English cricket and declared that the body would be cremated and “the ashes taken to Australia.”

The urn at Lord’s

England captain Ivo Bligh immediately vowed to recover those ashes, and toured Australia that winter. England won two of three Tests. A small terracotta urn — believed to contain the ashes of a cricket bail — was presented to Bligh in Melbourne and became the symbolic trophy of the series. That urn now lives permanently at Lord’s, on display in the MCC Museum. Despite its iconic status, the physical urn never leaves Lord’s: it is the Waterford Crystal replica that travels between the two countries after each series.

Where things stand: Australia currently hold the Ashes. The 2023 series in England ended 2–2, which meant Australia retained the urn. England will be attempting to win back the Ashes on home soil for the first time since 2015.

Not sure which to go for? See our Lord’s vs The Oval comparison.

Home of Cricket

Lord’s is the most iconic cricket venue in the world and the permanent home of the Ashes urn. For Ashes cricket, Lord’s carries unique historical weight. Between 1934 and 2009, England failed to win a single Ashes Test at this ground — a 75-year drought finally ended by Andrew Flintoff’s five-wicket haul on the final day in 2009. England’s last Ashes win at Lord’s came in 2013, when they beat Australia by 347 runs. Australia won the Lord’s Test in 2023 by 43 runs. The ground holds around 31,100 spectators and fills completely for each day of an Ashes match. See our Lord’s seating guide and Lord’s transport guide to plan your visit.

Birthplace of the Ashes

The Oval was where it all began. On 29 August 1882, Australia beat England by seven runs here, sparking the satirical obituary that gave the Ashes its name. More than 140 years later, The Oval remains a fixture in every home Ashes series — traditionally hosting the fifth and final Test. In 2023, England won the decider here by 49 runs in front of a packed 25,500 crowd. The Oval’s south London atmosphere and its famous Victorian gasholders make it one of the most distinctive cricket grounds in England. See our Oval seating guide and Oval transport guide.

⚡ The Utilita Bowl makes history in 2027

The 2027 series features one significant change from 2023: Old Trafford (Manchester) and Headingley (Leeds) have both been dropped from the rotation. Their places are taken by Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, and — for the first time in history — the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The Utilita Bowl will host its first ever men’s Ashes Test in 2027, becoming only the tenth English ground to have staged one. Old Trafford and Headingley are scheduled to return for the 2031 Ashes. The five confirmed 2027 venues are: Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, and the Utilita Bowl.

Five Tests, five venues, one Ashes series. Match dates are TBC — the ECB is expected to confirm the full schedule in late 2025 or early 2026.

The ECB ballot system

Ashes tickets in England are distributed through the ECB ballot system. For the London Tests at Lord’s and The Oval, demand far exceeds supply: in 2023, all five Ashes Tests sold out through the ballot before reaching general sale. The ballot typically works in three stages: host county members get the first priority purchase window; We Are England Cricket supporters club members get the second window; all remaining applicants go into a general ballot.

MCC membership (Lord’s) and Surrey membership (The Oval)

For Lord’s, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) Full Members have a guaranteed priority window to purchase tickets, but full membership carries a waiting list of approximately 29 years. Associate Membership, available once you’ve joined that waiting list, provides limited match-day access. For The Oval, Surrey County Cricket Club membership is the most reliable route to guaranteed seats, with an exclusive priority window before the general ballot opens.

When will Ashes 2027 match dates be confirmed?

Dates for all five Tests have not yet been announced. Based on the 2023 cycle, the ECB typically confirms Ashes match dates and venues around 18–24 months before the series begins. An announcement in late 2025 is likely, though no official timeline has been given. Join the waitlist at the top of this page and we’ll notify you the moment dates are released.

How do I get priority access to tickets for the London Tests?

The two most reliable routes are via county membership. For Lord’s: MCC membership (note the approximately 29-year waiting list for full membership, though Associate Membership provides some access). For The Oval: Surrey County Cricket Club membership guarantees a priority purchase window. We Are England Cricket — the ECB’s official supporters club — provides a priority window ahead of the general ballot for all five Tests. Full details are in our tickets and ballot guide.

Will I be able to buy tickets without a membership?

Yes, through the ECB general ballot. In 2023, the ballot was open to all fans who registered interest before the deadline. Some tickets did reach a limited general sale after the ballot, but quantities were very small. The 2027 ballot is expected to follow a similar process. Sign up to the waitlist above to be notified when registration opens — the window to register interest typically closes before most fans hear about it.

🏟️ Never Miss a Major London Sporting Event

The ECB ballot for Ashes 2027 and England internationals is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026. Match dates for the five Tests have not yet been confirmed. Join the waitlist and we’ll alert you the moment dates, ballot windows or ticket prices are announced — so you’re not caught out when the ballot opens.

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