ICC unveils 12 host venues for ODI World Cup 2027 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the 12 host venues for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, marking another major milestone in the build-up to cricket’s biggest 50-over tournament. The competition will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the tournament returning to the African continent for the first time since 2003. The 14-team tournament will feature 57 matches and will be played across eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia.

The ICC confirmed that the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup will be staged across the following venues:

South Africa

Zimbabwe

Namibia

ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as a landmark moment for world cricket, highlighting the significance of bringing the prestigious ODI World Cup back to Africa after more than two decades. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta added that the event would celebrate not only world-class cricket but also the culture, diversity and sporting passion of the African continent.

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The ICC also unveiled the official tournament theme, “Three Nations, One Heartbeat,” along with a new visual identity inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am, because we are.” The campaign slogan, “Make the Circle Bigger,” reflects the spirit of togetherness, inclusion and unity across the three host nations.

The 2027 World Cup will feature 57 matches and a revised three-stage competition format. Teams ranked 12th to 14th will first compete in a Super Series, with the winner advancing to the main tournament.

The main event will then consist of 12 teams divided into two groups of six. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed side, will qualify for the Super 7 stage. Following 21 Super 7 matches, the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals before the finalists battle for the coveted ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup title.

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