Ageas Bowl to host its maiden Men's Ashes Test in 2027

Southampton's Ageas Bowl will host a Men's Ashes Test for the first time in 2027 following the announcement of venues for England's home international matches from 2025-31.

The Ageas Bowl, which hosts its first Women's Ashes ODI on July 16, will also stage its first Women's Ashes Test in 2031, with the 2027 edition to be played at Headingley.

In 2027, England Men will play Tests against Australia at Lord's, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Ageas Bowl. In 2031, they contest five Tests at Lord's, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, Headingley and Trent Bridge.

After hosting its first Test against Sri Lanka in 2011, the Ageas Bowl staged two Tests against India in 2014 and 2018 before coming into its own in the Covid-affected summer of 2020, with bio-secure Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, as well as white-ball fixtures against Ireland and Australia helping the ECB fulfil its broadcast commitments.

Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman who has long campaigned for an Ashes Test to be staged at the ground, described the allocations as "a game-changer for the prospects of Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl", with the venue also confirming that this year would mark the end of a 12-year association with insurance company, Ageas.

"The Ashes fixture in 2027 will be a historic moment for Hampshire Cricket, the Ageas Bowl and for cricket in general as England and Australia engage in a Test Match for the first time at our bespoke venue," Bransgrove said. "It represents the realisation of a long-held ambition; a dream come true.

"For all our dedicated staff, both past and present, the allocation of this match, the women's Ashes Test in 2031, and the broader international and Test match programme over this seven-year period, represents full recognition of their amazing commitment and dedication over the past two decades."

England Men's next two Test series against India will take place at Lord's, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and Emirates Old Trafford in 2025; and at Lord's, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Emirates Old Trafford and The Ageas Bowl in 2029.

England Women will play at Lord's during each of the seven years between 2025-31, with The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge and the The Ageas Bowl each hosting the team at least four times during that period. England Women's internationals will also continue to be hosted at other venues around the country.

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: "This year's Men's and Women's Ashes are only days away, but fans can already start looking forward to more great clashes up and down the country in the years ahead.

"For the first time, we are announcing long-term allocations for women's international matches as well as men's. We have seen huge growth in attendances for women's matches in recent years, with this year's Women's Ashes smashing previous records, and we want to build further on this in the years ahead.

"By announcing arrangements for the next seven years, we are also giving venues long-term certainty so that they can invest sustainably into stadium improvements and improved fan experiences."

This year's Men's Ashes begins at Edgbaston on Friday and the multi-format Women's Ashes starts with a Test at Trent Bridge on June 22.

Edgbaston will remain the home of Vitality Blast Finals Day.