Ben Stokes has openly criticized the exclusion of Headingley from the 2027 men’s Ashes itinerary, branding the decision as "chaotic" and poorly organised. The omission of a major northern venue has sparked a wave of discontent among players, commentators and supporters ever since the schedule was first disclosed.
The former England captain took to Instagram to voice his frustration after seeing a post about the new fixture list. While he praised England’s dominant performance against Pakistan at the Leeds ground – a win that saw the hosts crush the visitors by an innings and 103 runs – he could not conceal his disappointment that Headingley would not feature in the upcoming series.
Joe Root, who succeeded Stokes as England captain, echoed the sentiment, calling the lack of a Headingley Test a "shame" and reminding fans of England’s impressive track record at the historic ground. Stokes responded in kind, stating, "Shame is an understatement, to be honest.
Chaotic would be a more accurate description." Headingley holds a special place in Stokes’s career. In 2019, he produced a legendary unbeaten 135 at the venue, partnering with tail‑ender Jack Leach for an unbeaten 76‑run stand that rescued England from a daunting target of 359.
That extraordinary chase kept the Ashes series alive and is still remembered as one of the most dramatic finishes in cricket history. The 2027 series will be contested across five venues, with the opening Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham – the most northerly ground on the schedule. The full itinerary is as follows: - First Test: Friday 18 June – Tuesday 22 June (11 am) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham - Second Test: Wednesday 30 June – Sunday 4 July (11 am) – Lord’s, London - Third Test: Thursday 8 July – Monday 12 July (11 am) – Edgbaston, Birmingham - Fourth Test: Wednesday 21 July – Sunday 25 July (11 am) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (hosting a men’s Ashes Test for the first time) - Fifth Test: Thursday 29 July – Monday 2 August (11 am) – The Kia Oval, London Notably absent from the roster are both Headingley and Old Trafford, two grounds that have staged countless iconic Ashes moments.
The omission has been met with particular ire given England’s recent dominance at Headingley – the team has now won seven consecutive Tests there, the latest of which was wrapped up in just three days. Former England batsman Mark Butcher, who famously scored a century at Headingley during the 1998 Ashes, questioned the logic behind the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision on Sky Sports. He said, "I find it extraordinary that there will be no Ashes cricket in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It’s bizarre.
Whether it’s Headingley or Old Trafford, that’s a decision for the accountants or whoever is in charge. The game is marketed as a sport for everyone, so it needs representation in the north." Young England all‑rounder Harry Brook also weighed in after the Pakistan Test at Headingley.
When asked how disappointed he was by the venue’s exclusion, he admitted, "Slightly, to be honest. We’ve had a tremendous amount of success here in Test cricket. You think back to 2019 when Stokes played that unbelievable innings, and then the recent Ashes Test where we kept the series alive. I personally love playing here – it’s one of my favourite, if not my favourite, grounds to bat on.
It’s disappointing, but the hierarchy makes those decisions and we just have to accept where we’re sent." The broader debate touches on the commercial and strategic priorities of the ECB. Critics argue that by concentrating the series in the south and the Midlands, the board risks alienating a significant portion of the fan base and missing out on the atmosphere that a venue like Headingley brings. Supporters of the current plan point to logistical considerations, stadium capacities and the desire to showcase newer facilities such as the Utilita Bowl.
Regardless of the reasoning, the controversy underscores how deeply cricket is woven into regional identity across England. Fans in Yorkshire and Lancashire have long cherished their local grounds as temples of the sport, and the Ashes – arguably the most storied rivalry in cricket – carries an extra emotional weight when played on home soil.
As the 2027 series approaches, the conversation is likely to continue, with former players, current stars and supporters all urging the ECB to reconsider its venue allocation for future editions. In the meantime, the scheduled Tests promise high‑quality cricket, and broadcasters such as Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event will air the matches live. For those without a contract, the NOW streaming service offers a contract‑free way to watch the action.
All times listed are UK and Ireland local time.