The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will return to Africa for the first time in 24 years, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia sharing hosting duties.
The tournament will be played in October and November 2027 across 12 venues. South Africa will host matches in eight cities, Zimbabwe in three, while Windhoek will represent Namibia.
The ICC has also confirmed a major format change. The 2027 World Cup will feature 14 teams and 57 matches, including a new Super Series, a two-group stage, a Super 7 round, semi-finals and the final.
The complete match-by-match schedule has not been released yet.
ICC ODI World Cup 2027 At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 |
| Format | One Day International |
| Hosts | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia |
| Tournament Window | October-November 2027 |
| Teams | 14 |
| Matches | 57 |
| Host Venues | 12 |
| South Africa Venues | 8 |
| Zimbabwe Venues | 3 |
| Namibia Venues | 1 |
| Full Match Schedule | Not announced yet |
| Defending Champions | Australia |
ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Host Cities and Venues
Africa is set to take centre stage as cricket’s biggest 50-over event returns to the continent for the first time since 2003. The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 4 October to 21 November, bringing 14 teams together across host cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare and Windhoek. With South Africa’s iconic Wanderers Stadium in line to stage the final, the tournament promises a landmark African showcase for world cricket.
South Africa
| City | Venue |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Wanderers Stadium |
| Tshwane | Centurion |
| Cape Town | Newlands Cricket Ground |
| Durban | Kingsmead Cricket Ground |
| Gqeberha | St George’s Park |
| Bloemfontein | Mangaung Oval |
| Paarl | Boland Park |
| KuGompo City | Buffalo Park |
KuGompo City was previously known as East London.
South Africa will stage the largest share of World Cup matches, with eight host venues across the country.
Zimbabwe
| City | Venue |
|---|---|
| Harare | Harare Sports Club |
| Bulawayo | Queens Sports Club |
| Victoria Falls | Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium |
The newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is one of the most notable additions to the 2027 venue list.
Zimbabwe also co-hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Namibia
| City | Venue |
|---|---|
| Windhoek | Namibia Cricket Ground |
The 2027 tournament will be historic for Namibia because it will be the country’s first time hosting matches at a senior ICC World Cup.
ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Schedule
The ICC has confirmed that the World Cup will take place in October and November 2027, but the complete fixture list is still awaited.
| Stage | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Super Series | TBA |
| Group Stage | TBA |
| Super 7 | TBA |
| Semi-final 1 | TBA |
| Semi-final 2 | TBA |
| Final | TBA |
The opening match, team-by-team fixtures, match dates, start times and knockout venues have not yet been announced.
Fans should wait for the official ICC schedule before treating any unofficial fixture list as final.
Fan Guide: Where to Buy Tickets, Accommodation, Tour Packages & What to Expect
Travelling from outside Africa for the 2027 Cricket World Cup requires careful planning across multiple host nations, cities, and unique geographic hubs. Below is everything visiting fans need to know regarding tickets, accommodations, tour packages, and travelling logistics.
1. Ticket Information and Where to Buy
General ticket sales are currently not open, and the exact sale dates, match-by-match categories, ticket prices, and official ticketing partners are still to be announced by the ICC
However, the ICC has officially opened a registration-of-interest portal on its official website . Fans are strongly advised to register early to receive direct alerts when ticket sales, pricing, and match schedules go live.
Fans should strictly avoid third-party resellers or unauthorised websites claiming to sell confirmed 2027 tickets before the official release to protect against fraud, inflated prices, and invalid QR codes.
Once available, tickets should only be bought via official ICC links. Standard match tickets, premium seating, accessibility seating, and official hospitality packages are expected once sales commence
2. Accommodation for Fans Across Host Cities
Because the tournament spans three diverse countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia) and 12 distinct host cities, accommodation styles vary greatly depending on where your matches are played.
In metropolitan hubs such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Tshwane, fans can find world-class international hotel chains, boutique guest houses, serviced apartments, and well-established Airbnb options.
Transport links to venues like Wanderers Stadium, Newlands, and Kingsmead are generally robust via ride-sharing apps and local transit.
Scenic and regional centres like Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Paarl, and KuGompo City are characterized by charming bed-and-breakfasts, local lodges, and regional hotels. These locations provide a relaxed environment, though booking early is vital due to limited capacity during high-demand matches.
Safari and tourism destinations like Victoria Falls feature luxury safari lodges, boutique eco-resorts, and luxury tented camps near the newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium. Staying here allows fans to combine world-class cricket with iconic wildlife tourism, though high-end options book out months in advance.
In the Namibian capital of Windhoek, fans will find comfortable city hotels, guesthouses, and safari-styled lodges near the Namibia Cricket Ground, serving as an ideal base for exploring Namibia’s desert landscapes.
Recommendation: Fans should wait for the complete fixture list and match allocations before locking down non-refundable hotel bookings to prevent paying for stays in cities where their teams aren’t playing
3. Tour Packages and Travel Planning
Authorized travel agencies and cricket tour operators will roll out comprehensive fan tour packages closer to the event as Official Tour Operators (OTOs). These typically bundle international flights, multi-city accommodation, local ground transfers, guided excursions, and guaranteed match tickets.
Since matches take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, fans planning to follow a team through the group stages or Super 7 must factor in cross-border travel, regional flights, and differing visa requirements for each country.
For flights and ground logistics, major international flights land primarily in Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or Cape Town, with connecting regional flights servicing Zimbabwe (Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls) and Namibia (Windhoek). Renting a car or booking organized shuttle services are popular choices for getting around South African venues.
New ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Format
The 2027 World Cup will use a new three-stage structure before the semi-finals.
Super Series
The three lowest-ranked teams among the 14 qualified sides will first play a round-robin Super Series.
Only the team finishing first will move into the next stage.
Group Stage
The remaining stage will contain 12 teams divided into two groups of six.
Each team will play the other teams in its group.
The top three teams from each group will qualify for the Super 7.
One additional team with the best record across the two groups will also advance.
Super 7
Seven teams will then play a full round-robin stage consisting of 21 matches.
The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.
The first-placed team will face fourth, while second will play third.
The two winners will meet in the World Cup final.
How the 57 Matches Are Split
| Stage | Matches |
|---|---|
| Super Series | 3 |
| Two-Group Stage | 30 |
| Super 7 | 21 |
| Semi-finals | 2 |
| Final | 1 |
| Total | 57 |
This is a major change from the 10-team structure used at the 2023 World Cup.
What to Expect From the World Cup in Africa
The 2027 tournament will be the first Men’s Cricket World Cup in Africa since 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya hosted the event.
South Africa and Zimbabwe will therefore host the tournament for a second time.
Namibia will make history as a senior World Cup host for the first time.
Fans can also expect a very different geographical spread compared with recent editions. Matches will be played across major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Harare and Windhoek, along with smaller centres including Paarl, Bloemfontein and Victoria Falls.
The ICC has built the tournament identity around the themes “Three Nations, One Heartbeat” and “Make the Circle Bigger”, with the branding inspired by Southern African culture and the philosophy of Ubuntu.
What Is Still TBA?
Several major details are still awaiting official confirmation.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Opening Match | TBA |
| Full Fixture List | TBA |
| Group Draw | TBA |
| Match Start Times | TBA |
| Semi-final Venues | TBA |
| Final Venue | TBA |
| Match-by-Match Ticket Sales | TBA |
The ICC has already opened registration of interest for ticket sales and tournament updates.
Final Word: A Total of 12 Venues Will Host 57 Matches Between 14 Teams
The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November 2027.
South Africa has eight host venues, Zimbabwe has three, and Namibia has one.
The full match schedule has not yet been announced, so exact fixture dates, groups and knockout venues remain TBA.
The tournament will also introduce a new format featuring a Super Series, two groups of six and a Super 7 stage before the semi-finals.
For fans, the biggest story is the return of the Men’s Cricket World Cup to Africa after 24 years, with Namibia hosting senior World Cup matches for the first time.
