The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stepped up preparations for the 2027 Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup, and the tournament’s tentative dates have also been revealed. The event is expected to be held from October 4 to November 21, 2027.
The proposed schedule was agreed upon in principle during the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad in May. Final approval is expected at the ICC Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh in July.
The 2027 World Cup will mark the first time since the 2003 Cricket World Cup that cricket’s premier ODI tournament will be held on the African continent. The competition will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
A total of 54 matches will be played during the tournament, with 41 matches scheduled across eight venues in South Africa.
Zimbabwe is expected to host between eight and ten matches at three venues, including the Harare Sports Club, a venue in Bulawayo, and a new stadium currently under construction in Victoria Falls. Namibia will host three matches.
The tournament format will also change. Unlike the previous two editions, which featured 10 teams, the 2027 World Cup will include 14 teams competing for the title.
The teams will be divided into two groups of seven. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage.
Among the host nations, South Africa and Zimbabwe have qualified automatically as full ICC members. However, Namibia will need to progress through the qualification process to secure a place in the tournament.
The 2027 World Cup will be the first major ICC event under the 2027–2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP), which will determine the schedule of bilateral series among member nations. Discussions on the FTP are expected to take place in Hong Kong later this year.
One of the ICC’s biggest challenges in finalising the new schedule is deciding the future structure and possible expansion of the ICC World Test Championship.
At its July meeting, the ICC is expected to make a final decision on whether all 12 full members, including Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan, should be included in the World Test Championship. The governing body will also consider whether one-sided or standalone Test matches should contribute to the championship points table.
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