ICC announces twelve African venues for the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup
The International Cricket Council revealed the twelve cities in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia that will host the 2027 ODI World Cup, the tournament’s first return to Africa in 24 years.
At a high-profile event in Johannesburg, the International Cricket Council officially named the twelve stadiums across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia that will stage the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup, marking the competition’s first African host since 2003. The schedule includes eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and Namibia’s capital Windhoek, covering a total of 57 matches and 14 participating nations.
The tournament will adopt a three-stage structure, beginning with a Super Series for the lowest-ranked teams, followed by group play and a Super 7 round before the semi-finals and final. ICC chairman Jay Shah called the venue reveal a “landmark moment,” while chief executive Sanjog Gupta linked the event to the continent’s cultural diversity and the Ubuntu philosophy. The launch also featured cricket legends such as Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
Why it matters
The venue announcement sets the stage for cricket’s premier global tournament to return to Africa, impacting fans, economies and the sport’s growth on the continent.
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