South Africa to host 44 matches across eight venues; Zimbabwe and Namibia to jointly host the remaining 10
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed the venue lineup for the highly anticipated 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. A total of 54 matches will be played, with South Africa hosting 44 across eight cities—Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, and Paarl. The remaining 10 matches will take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia, marking a historic first-time co-hosting role for Namibia and the second for Zimbabwe alongside South Africa.
South African Host Venues
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Centurion Park, Pretoria
Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
Buffalo Park, East London
Boland Park, Paarl
These venues were selected for strategic reasons—including proximity to airports, availability of quality accommodation, and ICC accreditation—to ensure seamless operations for players, media, and fans alike.
Zimbabwe and Namibia Co-Hosting
Zimbabwe will stage matches at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Harare Sports Club in Harare. Namibia, hosting on Africa’s global cricket stage for the first time, will hold matches at Namibia Cricket Ground (United Ground) in Windhoek.
Organising Committee & Vision
The announcement was released alongside the formation of the Local Organising Committee Board (LOCB), headed by Independent Chairman Trevor Manuel. CSA’s Chairperson, Pearl Maphoshe, emphasised the event’s inclusive, vibrant nature, aiming to deliver a tournament “that will reflect the face of South Africa—diverse, inclusive, and united.”
Tournament Format & Qualification
Known as the 14th edition of the ODI World Cup, the 2027 event will follow a 14-team format, divided into two groups of seven. The top three teams from each group will move into the Super Six phase, culminating in semifinals and a final. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as hosts. Namibia must earn its spot via the standard ICC qualification pathway.
This multi-nation hosting marks a significant step in elevating cricket’s footprint across Africa—and with matches kicking off in October and concluding in November 2027, preparations are well underway for what promises to be a memorable, continent-wide spectacle.
