ECB warns significant loss in 2027 — no India, Ashes not enough

The England Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a strong warning of a significant financial loss in their 2027 season, despite being scheduled to host a highly anticipated Ashes series by June next year, just after the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025/27 final. However, the absence of an India series has raised issues for them.

The forecast highlights the governing body’s growing financial reliance on the trips by the Indian national side. Last summer, the fans of various countries were glued to the five-match Test series against the Shubman Gill-led side, which concluded 2-2.

ECB’s own financial report warned of a ‘significant loss’ coming in 2027

The ECB’s accounts for the year ended January 31, 2026, paint a picture of robust health, as it reported a £12.6 million profit on ordinary activities and an improved year-on-year turnover of £89.4 million. These figures are largely added to the lucrative broadcast deals with the Indian side.

In the previous home summer, the two-time WTC runners-up were without their star players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who had retired from the longest format of the game. But still, the attraction and views were massive.

This year, India will travel to the United Kingdom for the five T20Is and three ODIs against the Harry Brook-led side. The financial statement revealed that the profits of £522.3 million from the sale of The Hundred franchises, along with the increased cash reserves of £72.8 million, contributed to the positive outlook.

“Turnover in the year ended 31 January 2026 amounted to £408.9m, an increase of £89.4m compared to the prior year. This is largely attributed to increased broadcast and ticketing revenues due to hosting an India men’s Test series in 2025.” The ECB report stated.

India brought £89.4 million extra to the ECB in 2025 — the Ashes in 2027 cannot come close

England will kickstart their 2026 home summer when they face New Zealand at Lord’s for the three-match red-ball series from June 04.

“Attention should be drawn to the fact that the ECB’s revenues are inherently cyclical, reflecting the scheduling of high-value broadcast series by opposition, and while this profile is advantageous in the current year and in 2026, it is expected to result in a significant loss position in the 2027 season.” It added.

Generally, the Ashes, due to the history and the importance of the prestigious urn, generates a huge turnover of fans from both countries and even from other places. But the India series has reached a different level in the last couple of years, and the current financial report from the ECB proves that.