2027 ODI World Cup Returns to Africa After 24 Years, 12 Venues Across SA, Zimbabwe and Namibia Announced

India may have missed out on hosting the next ICC Men's ODI World Cup, but cricket's biggest 50-over tournament is set to make a historic return to Africa after a gap of 24 years. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday unveiled the 12 venues that will host the 2027 ODI World Cup, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia joining hands to stage one of the sport's biggest global spectacles.

South Africa, the primary host, will stage matches at eight iconic venues — The Wanderers in Johannesburg, Centurion in Tshwane, Newlands in Cape Town, Kingsmead in Durban, St George's Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo City.

Zimbabwe will host games at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Windhoek's Namibia Cricket Ground will mark Namibia's debut as a World Cup host venue.

The tournament's return to the continent carries special significance, with Africa last hosting the men's ODI World Cup in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya shared hosting duties.

Announcing the venues at a ceremony in Johannesburg, ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the event as a landmark moment for the game, expressing confidence that the three co-hosts would deliver an unforgettable tournament showcasing Africa's passion for cricket and rich cultural diversity.

The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 57 matches and introduce a new three-stage competition format aimed at increasing competitiveness. A qualifying Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th to 14th will determine the final entrant into the main tournament. The next stage will feature 12 teams split into two groups of six, with the leading teams advancing to the Super 7 phase. The top four sides from the Super 7 will then progress to the semi-finals before the champions are crowned.

With iconic venues, a revamped format and the World Cup returning to African soil after more than two decades, the 2027 edition promises to be one of the most eagerly awaited tournaments in modern cricket.