The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the venues for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, with 12 stadiums across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to host the global tournament.

The 50-over World Cup will return to the African continent for the first time in 24 years. The previous edition held in Africa took place in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya jointly staged the tournament.

The venue announcement was made during a special ceremony in Johannesburg, where officials unveiled the host cities across the three nations. South Africa will host matches at eight venues, while Zimbabwe will stage games at three stadiums. Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, will host matches at one venue.

Also Read | Stephen Fleming named England Test coach; Joe Root returns as captain

Several leading cricket personalities attended the event, including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.

Complete list of ODI World Cup 2027 venues

South Africa will host the majority of the tournament, with matches scheduled at:

  • Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
  • Centurion, Tshwane
  • Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
  • Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
  • St George’s Park, Gqeberha
  • Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
  • Boland Park, Paarl
  • Buffalo Park, KuGompo City (formerly East London)

Zimbabwe’s matches will be played at:

  • Harare Sports Club, Harare
  • Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
  • Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, Victoria Falls

Namibia will host games at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek.

Jay Shah welcomes World Cup’s return to Africa

ICC chairman Jay Shah described the tournament’s return to Africa as an important milestone for international cricket.

“The return of this prestigious tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket. We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable event, showcasing the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make this region truly unique,” Shah said. 

New format to feature 57 matches

The 2027 ODI World Cup will consist of 57 matches and introduce a revised competition structure designed to increase the number of meaningful contests throughout the tournament.

The opening phase will feature a Super Series, where the teams ranked 12th to 14th will compete in a round-robin format. The winner of that stage will earn a place in the main tournament.

The next phase will include 12 teams, divided into two groups of six. Every team will play the others in its group once, resulting in a 30-match group stage.

How teams will qualify for the knockout stage?

The top three teams from each group, along with the next best-performing side across both groups, will progress to the Super 7 stage. The Super 7 will feature 21 round-robin matches, with the leading four teams advancing to the semifinals.

In the knockout stage, the team finishing first in the Super 7 standings will meet the fourth-placed side, while the second and third-ranked teams will face each other in the other semifinal.

Also Read | Ajinkya Rahane announces retirement after memorable 15-year India career

In the knockout stage, the team finishing first in the Super 7 standings will meet the fourth-placed side, while the second and third-ranked teams will face each other in the other semifinal.

FAQs

Which countries will host the 2027 ODI World Cup?

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

How many venues will host the 2027 ODI World Cup?

The tournament will be played across 12 venues—eight in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia.