ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Venues Announced: Africa Set to Host Cricket's Biggest Tournament Again

July 30, 2026: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the 12 venues that will host the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027, which will be jointly staged by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The venues were unveiled during a ceremony in Johannesburg, marking the beginning of preparations for cricket's biggest 50-over tournament.

The 2027 edition will be the first ICC Men's ODI World Cup in Africa since 2003 and the first senior ICC tournament hosted by Namibia.

12 Venues Confirmed for the Tournament

South Africa will host matches at eight venues:

• 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 three venues are:

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

Namibia will host matches at:

Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

South Africa and Zimbabwe previously co-hosted the 2003 Men's ODI World Cup. While South Africa has since staged several ICC events, including the Men's T20 World Cup (2007), Women's T20 World Cup (2023), Under-19 Men's World Cups (2020 and 2024), and the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup (2023), Namibia will host a senior ICC tournament for the first time.

New Three-Stage Tournament Format

The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 57 matches and introduce a new three-stage format designed to make the competition more competitive. The tournament will begin with the Super Series, where the teams ranked 12th to 14th will compete in a round-robin format. The winner will qualify for the main tournament.

The second stage will feature 12 teams, divided into two groups of six. Each team will play every other team in its group once. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed team, will qualify for the Super 7 stage.

The Super 7 will consist of 21 round-robin matches. The top four teams will then advance to the semi-finals, with the first-placed team facing the fourth-placed side and the second-placed team taking on the third-placed team. The winners will meet in the final.

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 🇿🇦 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞 🇿🇼 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐚 🇳🇦

Three nations. One heartbeat. 1️⃣2️⃣ venues. One unforgettable #CWC27 in sight 🏆

For more details and to register your interest for the event ➡️ https://t.co/QLxDyjmGjC pic.twitter.com/1jyOQcjiaN

— ICC (@ICC) July 30, 2026

ICC Chairman Jay Shah Welcomes Return of World Cup to Africa

ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the venue announcement as an important milestone on the road to the 2027 World Cup.

"This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. The unveiling of the host cities and the tournament brand signals the start of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of our sport's biggest global events.

"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."

ICC CEO Highlights Africa's Global Appeal

ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said the tournament will celebrate both cricket and Africa's rich culture.

"The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup represents the legacy and spectacle of Limited Overs Cricket. It also marks the return of the pinnacle event to Africa after more than two decades and will celebrate a continent defined by extraordinary people, vibrant cultures, breathtaking experiences and deep love for sport.

"The vibrant brand unveiled today reflects the energy, ambition and spirit of the event, while every host city offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the warmth and diversity that make Africa truly memorable. Combined with the continued growth of the game, the tournament will inspire new generations of cricket fans around the world."

CRICKET WORLD CUP IS BACK TO AFRICA AFTER 24 YEARS 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/2IooinW3of

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 30, 2026

Cricket Legends Attend Launch Event

Several former and current cricket stars attended the unveiling ceremony, including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza, and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.

The tournament's visual identity is inspired by the traditional African wire bowl and features a vibrant colour palette representing the culture, landscapes and spirit of the three host nations.

With venues confirmed and a new tournament format in place, the countdown has officially begun for the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027, which promises to bring world-class cricket back to Africa after nearly a quarter of a century.