‘Three Nations, One Heartbeat’: 12 Venues Confirmed for 2027 Cricket World Cup Return To Africa
Twelve venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia have been confirmed as hosts for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The host venues were unveiled during a spectacular ceremony in Johannesburg, with eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, selected to stage matches during the tournament.
The 12 host venues are:
South Africa
- Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg)
- SuperSport Park, 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
- Harare Sports Club (Harare)
- Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo)
- Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls)
Namibia
- Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek)
The marquee 50-over tournament returns to Africa for the first time in 24 years. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya previously co-hosted the eighth ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2003.
The 2027 edition will feature the world’s top 14 teams, with the three host nations united under the tournament’s ‘Three Nations, One Heartbeat’ brand.
The 14th edition of the showpiece event will welcome the global cricket community while embracing the African philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — a belief that humanity is defined by compassion, kindness and our connection to one another.
This aligns with the tournament’s ‘Make the Circle Bigger’ philosophy, which celebrates the region’s rich cultural diversity, 29 officially recognised languages and the many identities that unite the three host nations.
“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.
“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 Sanjog Gupta added: “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup represents the legacy and spectacle of One-Day International 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 a 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 growth of the game and the inspiration it will provide for new generations of fans, the event will assume regional and global significance.”
Also present at the launch were South African cricket icons Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and Namibia’s Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
The tournament’s visual identity is inspired by the traditional African wire bowl and features a colour palette including Zimbabwe Chilli, African Root, Fynbos Pop, Namib Dune, Harare Dawn and Two Oceans.
Since co-hosting the 2003 Men’s Cricket World Cup, South Africa has staged several major ICC events, including the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2020 and 2024, and the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023.
While Zimbabwe also co-hosted the 2003 World Cup, Namibia will welcome its first senior ICC tournament as a host nation. Both Zimbabwe and Namibia hosted matches during the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will feature 57 matches and introduce a new three-stage format designed to increase competitiveness and enhance the fan experience.
A Super Series will see the teams ranked 12th to 14th play a round-robin competition, with the winner advancing to the next stage.
The main tournament will then feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six, with each team playing the others in its group in a round-robin format across 30 matches.
The top three teams from each group, along with the next best-placed team across both groups, will progress to the Super Seven stage.
The Super Seven will consist of 21 round-robin matches, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. The team that finishes first in the Super Seven standings will face the fourth-placed side, while the second-placed team will meet the third-placed team for a place in the final.
