The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the 12 venues that will host the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, marking the tournament’s long-awaited return to Africa after more than two decades.
Co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the 50-over World Cup will feature 14 teams competing across October and November 2027.
Africa to Host ODI World Cup After More Than 20 Years
The 2027 edition will be the first ODI World Cup held in Africa since the 2003 tournament, bringing world-class cricket back to one of the sport’s most passionate regions.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta described the event as a celebration of Africa’s vibrant culture, sporting passion, and unique experiences.
New Victoria Falls Stadium Among Host Venues
One of the biggest highlights is the inclusion of the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The 10,000-seat venue is expected to begin hosting domestic cricket later this year before welcoming World Cup matches in 2027.
Zimbabwe’s other host cities will be Harare and Bulawayo, while Windhoek will serve as Namibia’s sole host venue.
South Africa to Host Majority of Matches
South Africa will stage the majority of the tournament’s 57 matches, with games spread across eight cities:
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
- Tshwane
- Durban
- Paarl
- Bloemfontein
- Gqeberha
- Kugompo City
These venues will host most of the World Cup fixtures during October and November 2027.
Tournament Format Explained
The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams.
- The three lowest-ranked teams will first compete in a Super Over qualifying stage.
- The successful teams will join the remaining sides in the main competition.
- Twelve teams will then be divided into two groups.
- The top three teams from each group, along with the next best-performing team, will progress to the Super 7 stage.
- After 21 round-robin matches, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.
The ICC has not yet announced the full match schedule.
ICC Highlights Africa’s Sporting Legacy
Speaking on the announcement, ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said the ODI World Cup remains the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket and highlighted the significance of bringing the tournament back to Africa.
He noted that the event would showcase the continent’s rich culture, breathtaking destinations, and deep passion for sport while leaving a lasting legacy for cricket across the region.
Awaiting the Full Schedule
While the host venues have now been confirmed, fans will have to wait for the ICC to release the official match schedule and fixture list.
The 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup promises to be one of the biggest sporting events on the global calendar, bringing together the world’s best cricket teams across three African nations.