The Oval
The Kia Oval
London, England
25,500
1845
London, England
Grass
About this Ground
Traditionally hosts the final Test of each Ashes series in England. 2023 WTC Final venue.
History & Significance
The Oval, now the Kia Oval for commercial reasons, was established in 1845 on market garden land in Kennington, South London, and has been at the centre of English cricket ever since. Crucially, The Oval hosted the very first Test match played in England — in September 1880, when England defeated Australia by five wickets. Two years later, in 1882, Australia won an extraordinary Test here by 7 runs, prompting the mock obituary in The Sporting Times that gave birth to the Ashes mythology: 'the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.' The Oval has traditionally hosted the final Test of every English Ashes series, making it the ground where Ashes fates are sealed — England regained the Ashes here in 2005 with a draw, in scenes of national celebration. The ground hosted the 2023 World Test Championship Final between Australia and India, which Australia won to complete a cycle of global Test supremacy. The gasholders beyond the pavilion end — enormous cylindrical gas storage tanks — are The Oval's most distinctive visual signature, recognised by cricket fans worldwide as uniquely London. Surrey County Cricket Club have been the ground's tenants since 1845, making it one of sport's longest-running ground-club relationships.
Ground Record
Ashes decider
2023 WTC Final & Ashes decider · 2023
Famous For
- Ashes final Test
- 2023 WTC Final
- Oval Invincibles The Hundred
About The Kia Oval
The Oval, now the Kia Oval for commercial reasons, was established in 1845 on market garden land in Kennington, South London, and has been at the centre of English cricket ever since. Crucially, The Oval hosted the very first Test match played in England — in September 1880, when England defeated Australia by five wickets. Two years later, in 1882, Australia won an extraordinary Test here by 7 runs, prompting the mock obituary in The Sporting Times that gave birth to the Ashes mythology: 'the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.' The Oval has traditionally hosted the final Test of every English Ashes series, making it the ground where Ashes fates are sealed — England regained the Ashes here in 2005 with a draw, in scenes of national celebration. The ground hosted the 2023 World Test Championship Final between Australia and India, which Australia won to complete a cycle of global Test supremacy. The gasholders beyond the pavilion end — enormous cylindrical gas storage tanks — are The Oval's most distinctive visual signature, recognised by cricket fans worldwide as uniquely London. Surrey County Cricket Club have been the ground's tenants since 1845, making it one of sport's longest-running ground-club relationships.
Upcoming & Recent Matches
All matches →Live match schedule coming soon for this venue.