Joe Root, Harry Brook and former England opener Mark Butcher have all voiced their displeasure that the upcoming 2027 men’s Ashes series will not feature a Test match in the northern part of the country. The venues for the 2027 England‑Australia showdown were announced last month, and the line‑up of five Tests contains no ground situated north of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the opening match.
The traditional venues of Lord’s, Edgbaston and The Kia Oval will return for the series, while the Utilita Bowl in Southampton will host a men’s Ashes Test for the first time. Meanwhile, two of the most historic northern stadiums – Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester – have been left out of the schedule. The omission of a northern ground has sparked debate among players, commentators and supporters.
Butcher, speaking to Sky Sports, asked why two iconic venues were excluded, noting that the Ashes is a marquee event that should be marketed as a game for the whole nation, not just the south. “Anyone who isn’t a die‑hard Hampshire fan can see that a series as high‑profile as the Ashes needs representation from the north,” he said.
“Whether that’s Headingley or Old Trafford is a decision for the accountants, but it feels wrong not to have a northern Test.” He added, “It’s extraordinary that beyond Trent Bridge there will be no Ashes cricket in the north next year. It’s bizarre.” Butcher also expressed a personal connection to both grounds, recalling the rich history they hold for visiting teams and for England’s own successes. “I have a fondness for Headingley and Old Trafford from my playing days, and they are steeped in Ashes lore.
Unfortunately the Utilita Bowl does not carry that heritage.” England’s recent record at Headingley has been impressive – the side have won all seven of their latest Tests there, including a dominant innings victory over Pakistan earlier this week. Root, the current captain, argued that the team’s success at the Leeds venue should be taken into account when planning future schedules, and he believes players should have a voice in such decisions. “I’d love to play as many games as possible at Headingley,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It’s a superb Test ground with a surface that produces quality cricket, and we’ve enjoyed a lot of success there recently. It’s a shame we won’t be back next year, but I’m confident we’ll see many more great matches at that venue.” Root continued, “As a player, I’d like to have a choice, but the English system works differently from Australia’s. I recognise that scheduling is someone else’s job, yet naturally you want to play where you feel comfortable and have a winning record.
Headingley is that place for me, and as a Yorkshireman I’ve loved it since I was a child.” The women’s side will still meet Australia at Headingley as part of a multi‑format series next summer, but the ground will not host another men’s Test after the current clash with Pakistan until 2029. Both Headingley and Old Trafford have been earmarked for an Ashes Test in 2031, while Edgbaston and the Utilita Bowl will miss out in that future series.
Brook also expressed disappointment at the lack of northern venues for 2027. When asked how he felt, the England batsman admitted he was “slightly” let down, citing the team’s strong performances at Headingley. “We’ve had a lot of success here in Test cricket,” he said on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan.
“Going back to 2019, when Ben Stokes played that unforgettable innings, and the recent 2023 Ashes win – Headingley has been a key venue for us.” He added, “I personally love playing at Headingley. It’s one of my favourite grounds, if not my favourite place to bat.
The absence of a northern Test is disappointing, but those decisions are made by the hierarchy, not the players.”\n The full schedule for the 2027 Ashes is as follows (all times are UK and Ireland local): - First Test: Friday 18 June – Tuesday 22 June (11:00) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham - Second Test: Wednesday 30 June – Sunday 4 July (11:00) – Lord’s, London - Third Test: Thursday 8 July – Monday 12 July (11:00) – Edgbaston, Birmingham - Fourth Test: Wednesday 21 July – Sunday 25 July (11:00) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton - Fifth Test: Thursday 29 July – Monday 2 August (11:00) – The Kia Oval, London Fans can watch England’s three Tests against Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, or stream the action contract‑free via NOW. The ongoing conversation about venue selection underscores the broader issue of regional representation in English cricket, and many hope that future schedules will restore a balanced north‑south mix for the sport’s most celebrated rivalry.