The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the 12 venues that will host the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to stage the tournament across October and November next year.
The tournament will return to Africa for the first time since 2003. South Africa will host matches at eight venues, while Zimbabwe will stage games at three grounds and Namibia will host fixtures at one venue.
South Africa’s venues are 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) and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City).
Zimbabwe will host matches at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek completes the list of host venues.
The 14-team tournament will carry the theme “Three Nations, One Heartbeat” and draw inspiration from the African philosophy of Ubuntu, meaning “I am, because we are”. The ICC said the branding reflects unity, compassion and the region’s cultural diversity.
“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” ICC chairman Jay Shah said.
“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.”
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the competition would celebrate both cricket and the continent.
“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.”
The tournament will feature a revised format with 57 matches. Teams ranked 12th to 14th will first compete in a Super Series, with the winner advancing to a 12-team group stage. The top teams will then progress to the Super 7 before the semi-finals and final.
The launch ceremony in Johannesburg featured South African greats Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and Namibia’s Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
