Cricket
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The countdown to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 has officially begun. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the tournament’s branding and confirmed the cities that will stage matches across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, setting the stage for the ODI showpiece’s return to Africa after 24 years.
The 2027 edition will be jointly hosted by three African nations, with Namibia becoming a men’s 50-over World Cup host for the first time. South Africa and Zimbabwe, meanwhile, return as hosts after previously staging the tournament in 2003.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will jointly host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 across 10 cities, including Namibia for the first time, marking the ODI tournament’s return to Africa with an expanded 14-team format.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Host Venues
South Africa
- Johannesburg
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Gqeberha
- Centurion
- Paarl
- Bloemfontein
Zimbabwe
Namibia
A total of 10 host cities across the three countries will welcome the world’s biggest ODI tournament.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the unveiling of the tournament identity and host cities marks an important milestone ahead of the event.
“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” Shah said, adding that the announcement is expected to build excitement among fans, participating teams and stakeholders around the world.
For African cricket, the tournament carries added significance. It will be the first ODI World Cup on the continent since the 2003 edition, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya shared hosting duties. This time, Namibia joins the hosting group, reflecting the country’s rapid rise in international cricket over the past few years.
South Africa will host the majority of matches thanks to its established cricket infrastructure and world-class stadiums. Zimbabwe’s iconic venues return to the World Cup stage after more than two decades, while Windhoek will become the first Namibian city to host matches in a men’s 50-over World Cup.
The ICC is yet to release the complete fixture list, venue-wise match allocations and ticket details. Those announcements are expected after the qualification process is completed.
The 2027 tournament will also mark the return of the expanded 14-team format, a shift from the 10-team competitions held in 2019 and 2023. The expansion is expected to provide more opportunities for emerging cricket nations while increasing the number of matches during the tournament.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta described the event as an opportunity to celebrate both the legacy of one-day cricket and Africa’s rich sporting culture. He said every host city would offer a unique experience to travelling supporters while helping inspire a new generation of cricketers across the continent.
With the host cities now confirmed, preparations will gather pace over the coming months. The focus will next turn to qualification, fixtures and ticket sales as the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 gathers momentum.
