Johannesburg | July 31, 2026
ICC Unveils 12 Venues for ODI World Cup 2027; South Africa to Host Matches at Eight Stadiums
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the 12 host venues for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027, confirming that the tournament will be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The 50-over showpiece will return to Africa for the first time in 24 years, after the 2003 edition was jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
The venues were unveiled during a launch event in Johannesburg, attended by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and several current and former cricket stars, including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza, and Rudolph Jansen van Vuuren.
South Africa to Host Matches at Eight Venues
South Africa will host the majority of the tournament’s matches across eight stadiums:
- Wanderers Stadium – Johannesburg
- SuperSport Park – 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 Three Host Venues
Zimbabwe will stage matches at three historic cricket grounds:
- Harare Sports Club – Harare
- Queens Sports Club – Bulawayo
- Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium – Victoria Falls
Namibia to Make World Cup History
Namibia will host World Cup matches at:
- Namibia Cricket Ground – Windhoek
The venue marks Namibia’s role as a co-host of the Men’s ODI World Cup for the first time, highlighting the country’s growing importance in international cricket.
Jay Shah Calls It a Historic Moment
ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the tournament’s return to Africa as a landmark occasion for world cricket.
He said hosting the event in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia would showcase the region’s passion for cricket, cultural diversity, and hospitality while creating a memorable experience for players and fans alike.
2027 World Cup to Feature a New Tournament Format
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will feature 57 matches under a revised competition structure designed to increase competitiveness.
According to the ICC:
- A qualifying Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th to 14th will determine the final participant in the main tournament.
- The main stage will feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six.
- Each group will play a round-robin format, producing 30 matches.
- The top three teams from each group, along with the better-performing fourth-placed team, will advance to the Super 7 stage.
- The Super 7 will consist of 21 round-robin matches.
- The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, followed by the final.
World Cup Returns to Africa After 24 Years
The tournament is scheduled to be played between October 4 and November 21, 2027, bringing the Men’s Cricket World Cup back to Africa for the first time since the memorable 2003 edition.
The ICC says the event will celebrate the spirit of “Ubuntu”, emphasizing unity, inclusion, and the shared passion for cricket across the three host nations.
Key Highlights
- ICC has announced 12 venues for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- South Africa will host matches at eight stadiums.
- Zimbabwe will host games at three venues, while Namibia will stage matches in Windhoek.
- The tournament returns to Africa after 24 years.
- The 2027 World Cup will feature a new multi-stage format with 57 matches.
Official Sources
- International Cricket Council (ICC) – ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 venue announcement.
- ICC Board updates on the 2027 ODI World Cup schedule and tournament format.
