ICC Cricket World Cup 2027: Schedule, Teams, Groups, Venues, Format & Tickets
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will bring ODI cricket’s biggest tournament back to Africa, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia sharing hosting duties from 2 October to 21 November 2027. Fourteen teams will compete across 12 venues in a 57-match tournament that introduces a new structure featuring a Super Series, two six-team groups and a Super 7 stage before the semi-finals and final.
The complete Cricket World Cup 2027 schedule was announced by the ICC on 1 October 2026. The first three matches will form the Super Series in Windhoek before the main group stage starts with India against defending champions Australia in Cape Town on 7 October. India and Pakistan meet in Johannesburg on 10 October, while the tournament will eventually return to Johannesburg for the final on 21 November.
Ten teams have already secured their places. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified as Full Member hosts, while India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh secured direct entry through the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. Four more teams will come through the 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 at a Glance
| Detail | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 |
| Edition | 14th |
| Format | One Day International, 50 overs |
| Dates | 2 October to 21 November 2027 |
| Hosts | South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia |
| Teams | 14 |
| Total Matches | 57 |
| Venues | 12 |
| Super Series | 2 to 6 October 2027 |
| Group Stage Begins | 7 October 2027 |
| Super 7 Begins | 25 October 2027 |
| Semi-finals | 17 and 18 November 2027 |
| Final | 21 November 2027 |
| Final Venue | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| Defending Champions | Australia |
Latest ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Update
The biggest update so far came on 1 October 2026 when the ICC unveiled the official fixture schedule and group composition in Cape Town.
The announcement settled several major questions at once. The tournament will start on 2 October 2027 in Windhoek, the main group stage begins on 7 October, India and Pakistan meet on 10 October, the Super 7 runs from 25 October to 14 November, and Johannesburg will host the final on 21 November.
The ICC also opened the Cricket World Cup 2027 ticket ballot on 1 October 2026. Fans can enter the ballot until 21 November 2026, and entering early provides no advantage because the ballot is not first come, first served.
The remaining major pieces of the tournament will become clearer during 2027. Four participating countries still have to qualify, national boards have not announced their final World Cup squads, and complete territory-by-territory television and streaming arrangements for the tournament should not be assumed from the broadcasters used for the schedule launch.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Schedule
The 2027 World Cup begins differently from recent editions. Windhoek hosts a three-match Super Series on 2, 4 and 6 October involving three teams emerging from the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Only the top team from this short round-robin advances to the main group stage.
Group-stage cricket begins in Cape Town on Thursday, 7 October, with India facing Australia in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. Pakistan begin against Afghanistan in Tshwane the following day, while South Africa open their home campaign against New Zealand in Cape Town on 9 October.
Enlarge fixture graphic
Some of the biggest confirmed group matches include:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 October | India vs Australia | Cape Town |
| 8 October | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| 9 October | South Africa vs New Zealand | Cape Town |
| 10 October | India vs Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| 13 October | England vs Sri Lanka | Windhoek |
| 15 October | Zimbabwe vs Australia | Harare |
| 16 October | South Africa vs England | Gqeberha |
| 19 October | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan | Harare |
| 22 October | Australia vs Pakistan | Paarl |
| 23 October | England vs New Zealand | Gqeberha |
| 24 October | Zimbabwe vs India | Victoria Falls |
The complete group stage finishes with Zimbabwe against India at the new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls on 24 October. The Super 7 starts the following day and continues until 14 November.
The first semi-final will be played in Cape Town on 17 November, followed by the second semi-final in Tshwane on 18 November. Both semi-finals have reserve days. Johannesburg will host the World Cup final on Sunday, 21 November, with 22 November available as a reserve day if required.
World Cup 2027 Groups
Twelve teams will participate in the main group stage, divided into Group A and Group B.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| India | New Zealand |
| Australia | South Africa |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| Afghanistan | England |
| Zimbabwe | Bangladesh |
| Qualifier A | Qualifier B |
The presence of Qualifier A and Qualifier B does not mean that all four teams coming from the World Cup Qualifier advance directly into these groups.
Four teams will earn World Cup places through the Qualifier. The highest-placed Qualifier team progresses directly to the main group stage. The other three contest the Super Series in Windhoek, where only the leading team advances. Those two surviving qualifier teams complete the 12-team group stage.
That distinction matters because the complete 14-team field and the identities of both group-stage qualifier slots will not be known until the qualification process is finished.
How the New Cricket World Cup 2027 Format Works
The 2027 tournament is not using the same format as the 2023 World Cup.
The ICC expanded the field from 10 to 14 teams and introduced a three-stage competition before the semi-finals. The complete tournament consists of 57 matches.
Super Series
The three lowest-ranked qualifying teams among the final 14 begin in a three-match round-robin Super Series.
Each team plays the other two once. The team finishing first progresses to the main group stage, while the other two are eliminated.
For 2027, all three Super Series matches will take place in Windhoek on 2, 4 and 6 October.
Group Stage
The remaining 12 teams are divided into two groups of six.
Every team plays the other five sides in its group once, producing 15 matches per group and 30 matches overall.
The top three teams from Group A and the top three from Group B qualify automatically for the Super 7. One additional place goes to the better fourth-placed team across the two groups.
This means seven teams remain after the group stage.
Super 7
The seven surviving teams enter a new round-robin competition with no points carried forward from the group stage.
Each team plays six matches, producing 21 Super 7 fixtures between 25 October and 14 November. The top four teams in the Super 7 standings qualify for the semi-finals.
The ICC has pre-seeded several teams into Super 7 fixture positions so supporters can understand potential travel routes and venue allocations in advance. Those seedings do not guarantee qualification. If a non-seeded side progresses and replaces a seeded team, it takes that team’s designated Super 7 position.
Semi-finals and Final
The team finishing first in the Super 7 will face the fourth-placed team in one semi-final. Second will play third in the other.
The two winners then meet in Johannesburg on 21 November to decide the 2027 ODI world champion.
The complete structure adds up to 57 matches: three Super Series games, 30 group matches, 21 Super 7 matches, two semi-finals and one final.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Teams
Ten of the 14 World Cup places are already confirmed.
| Team | Qualification Route |
|---|---|
| South Africa | Full Member host |
| Zimbabwe | Full Member host |
| India | ICC ODI Rankings |
| New Zealand | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Pakistan | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Australia | ICC ODI Rankings |
| England | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Sri Lanka | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Afghanistan | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Bangladesh | ICC ODI Rankings |
| Qualifier 1 | 2027 World Cup Qualifier |
| Qualifier 2 | 2027 World Cup Qualifier |
| Qualifier 3 | 2027 World Cup Qualifier |
| Qualifier 4 | 2027 World Cup Qualifier |
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are all tournament hosts, but hosting rights and automatic qualification are not the same thing. South Africa and Zimbabwe received automatic places because they are Full Member hosts. Namibia still has to qualify for the tournament.
The eight direct ranking places were decided using the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings at the 30 September 2026 cut-off, excluding the automatically qualified hosts.
West Indies and Ireland did not secure direct entry and must use the Qualifier route if they are to reach the World Cup.
Final squads should not be confused with qualified teams. Although ten countries now know they will participate, their 15-player World Cup squads have not been finalized this far ahead of the tournament.
World Cup 2027 Venues and Host Cities
The World Cup will be played at 12 venues across three African countries. South Africa contributes eight grounds, Zimbabwe has three and Namibia has one.
South Africa Venues
| Venue | City |
|---|---|
| Wanderers Stadium | Johannesburg |
| 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 |
South Africa will host both semi-final and final cricket. Cape Town stages the first semi-final, Tshwane hosts the second, and Johannesburg receives the final.
Zimbabwe Venues
Zimbabwe will use Harare Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls gets a particularly notable group-stage fixture when Zimbabwe face India on 24 October. According to the ICC schedule, that will be the final match of the group stage and the first Cricket World Cup match at the new ground.
Namibia Venue
Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will stage all three Super Series matches followed by three group-stage games.
Namibia’s role is historic. While South Africa and Zimbabwe were part of the African World Cup in 2003, 2027 will be Namibia’s first time hosting the senior Men’s Cricket World Cup.
A Cricket World Cup Returns to Africa
The 2027 edition brings the men’s 50-over World Cup back to Africa for the first time since 2003.
South Africa and Zimbabwe were both co-hosts of that tournament alongside Kenya. Australia went on to win the 2003 title, beating India in the Johannesburg final.
Twenty-four years later, Johannesburg again sits at the centre of the tournament, this time as the venue where the 2027 champion will be crowned.
The ICC has presented the event under the idea of “Three Nations, One Heartbeat,” with the wider CWC27 identity built around bringing supporters and communities across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia together.
Cricket World Cup 2027 Tickets
The first official ticket phase is already underway through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 ticket ballot.
The ballot opened on 1 October 2026 and remains open until 21 November 2026. Registration is free and is not first come, first served. A valid application submitted near the end of the ballot window receives the same consideration as one submitted on the opening day.
Fans can apply for as many different matches as they want, with every match treated as a separate ballot entry. Up to four tickets can be requested for an individual match.
Where demand exceeds availability, successful applicants will be chosen through a randomized ballot. Those selected will later receive a purchase window. Entering the ballot itself does not guarantee a ticket.
The ICC has also announced accessible pricing, with different categories available across the tournament. Fans should use the official World Cup ticketing system rather than treating resale listings or unofficial ticket pages as confirmed inventory.
World Cup 2027 Points Table
There are two different standings phases to follow during this World Cup.
The group stage will have separate Group A and Group B points tables. The top three teams in each group progress, while the two fourth-placed teams are compared for the seventh Super 7 position.
Once the Super 7 begins, the group standings are left behind. No group-stage points carry forward. All seven teams start the Super 7 phase from zero and play six matches each.
That reset makes the second half of the tournament particularly important. A team can dominate its group but must build its position again during the Super 7 to reach the semi-finals.
The World Cup 2027 points table will remain empty until matches actually begin. Wins, losses, points and net run rate should only reflect the current tournament rather than records carried over from qualification or previous World Cups.
Australia Enter as Defending World Champions
Australia will defend the trophy they won in India in 2023.
After losing their first two matches of the 2023 tournament, Australia recovered to win nine consecutive games, culminating in a six-wicket victory over unbeaten hosts India in the Ahmedabad final. Travis Head scored 137 in the chase after India had been dismissed for 240.
The victory took Australia’s World Cup total to six titles, more than any other country. They previously won in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.
Their 2027 defence begins against India on 7 October in Cape Town, giving the new World Cup group stage an immediate rematch of the previous final.
Live Streaming and TV Broadcast
The full country-by-country television and digital streaming plan for the 2027 tournament should be treated separately from the broadcasters that carried the October 2026 schedule launch.
The schedule-launch programme had confirmed broadcast partners in several territories, but that does not by itself establish the final television channel or streaming platform for every World Cup match in October and November 2027.
Regional viewing information can change before the tournament. Final broadcast listings should therefore be added once the ICC and its rights holders publish coverage specifically for the competition itself.
What Is Still to Be Decided?
The schedule is now official, but several important parts of the World Cup picture remain open.
Four teams still need to qualify. The identities of Qualifier A and Qualifier B are therefore not yet known. Final national squads, captains for the tournament, injury replacements and playing XIs will be settled much closer to October 2027.
Super 7 fixture slots have been announced, but the names attached to many of those slots are seedings rather than guaranteed participants. A team must still qualify from its group to take its expected Super 7 position.
These distinctions are important as the tournament approaches. An official fixture can be confirmed even when one participating team is not yet known, while a seeded Super 7 matchup remains conditional until the group stage is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 ODI World Cup
When will the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 start?
The tournament starts on Saturday, 2 October 2027 with the first Super Series match in Windhoek, Namibia. The main group stage begins on 7 October with India against Australia in Cape Town.
When is the Cricket World Cup 2027 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, 21 November 2027 at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. A reserve day is available on 22 November if required.
Which countries are hosting the 2027 World Cup?
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are co-hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
How many teams will play in the World Cup 2027?
Fourteen teams will participate. Ten places are already confirmed, while four teams will qualify through the 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
How many matches will be played?
The tournament contains 57 matches across the Super Series, group stage, Super 7, semi-finals and final.
When is India vs Pakistan in World Cup 2027?
India and Pakistan will meet on Sunday, 10 October 2027 in Johannesburg during the Group A stage.
Who are the defending Cricket World Cup champions?
Australia are the defending champions after beating India in the 2023 final. Australia have won the Men’s Cricket World Cup a record six times.
Is Namibia automatically qualified because it is a host?
No. Namibia is one of the three host countries, but South Africa and Zimbabwe received the automatic host berths as Full Members. Namibia still needs to qualify for the 14-team tournament.
What is the Super 7 in World Cup 2027?
The Super 7 is the third stage of the tournament. Seven teams advance from the two main groups and start a fresh round-robin competition with no group-stage points carried over. Every team plays the other six once, and the top four reach the semi-finals.
Has the complete World Cup 2027 schedule been announced?
Yes. The ICC officially released the full fixture schedule and groups on 1 October 2026. The schedule covers the Super Series, 30 group-stage matches, all 21 pre-seeded Super 7 fixtures, both semi-finals and the final.