ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Schedule
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027: Schedule, Teams, Format, Venues and Key Matches
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 is set to be one of the biggest cricket events of the decade, bringing the world’s leading ODI teams together across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The 14th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will return to Africa after 24 years and will introduce an expanded 14-team format, a new Super 7 stage, and 57 matches across 12 venues.
The tournament will begin on 2 October 2027 with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek, Namibia, while the main Group Stage gets underway on 7 October 2027. The World Cup final is scheduled for 21 November 2027 in Johannesburg, with 22 November reserved as the backup day.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027: Overview
The 2027 edition will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. South Africa and Zimbabwe previously co-hosted the 2003 Men’s Cricket World Cup, while Namibia will host matches at a senior Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time.
The tournament will feature:
- Tournament: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027
- Edition: 14th Men’s Cricket World Cup
- Format: One Day International (ODI)
- Teams: 14
- Total matches: 57
- Host countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
- Tournament dates: 2 October to 21 November 2027
- Group Stage: 7 October to 24 October 2027
- Super 7 Stage: 25 October to 14 November 2027
- Semi-finals: 17 and 18 November 2027
- Final: 21 November 2027
- Final venue: Johannesburg
- Reserve day for final: 22 November 2027
The ICC has confirmed 12 venues across the three host countries.
Where Will the ICC World Cup 2027 Be Hosted?
The tournament will be staged across three African nations:
South Africa
South Africa will host matches at eight venues:
- 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
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe will host matches at three venues:
- Harare Sports Club – Harare
- Queens Sports Club – Bulawayo
- Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium – Victoria Falls
Namibia
Namibia will host matches at:
- Namibia Cricket Ground – Windhoek
The 12 venues were officially announced by the ICC in July 2026.
ICC World Cup 2027 Format
The 2027 World Cup introduces a different competition structure from the 2023 edition.
The tournament will have three stages before the semi-finals and final.
Stage 1: Super Series
The tournament will begin with a three-team Super Series involving the teams that finish in positions 12 to 14 among the qualified sides.
The three teams will play a single round-robin competition in Windhoek.
The matches are scheduled for:
- 2 October 2027: Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 3
- 4 October 2027: Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 2
- 6 October 2027: Qualifier 2 vs Qualifier 3
The team finishing at the top of the Super Series will earn the final place in the main Group Stage.
Stage 2: Group Stage
The remaining 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six.
Each team will play every other team in its group.
The groups announced by the ICC are:
Group A
- India
- Australia
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Zimbabwe
- Qualifier A
Group B
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- England
- Bangladesh
- Qualifier B
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 7 stage. The better-performing fourth-placed team from the two groups will also qualify, creating a seven-team Super 7 competition.
Stage 3: Super 7
The Super 7 stage will consist of 21 round-robin matches.
Seven teams will compete against each other, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals.
The semi-final qualification structure is:
- 1st place vs 4th place
- 2nd place vs 3rd place
The winners of those two semi-finals will meet in the World Cup final.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Full Group Stage Schedule
The main Group Stage begins on 7 October 2027.
October 2027 Fixtures
7 October
- India vs Australia – Cape Town
8 October
- Pakistan vs Afghanistan – Tshwane
- England vs Bangladesh – Windhoek
9 October
- Zimbabwe vs Qualifier A – Bulawayo
- South Africa vs New Zealand – Cape Town
10 October
- India vs Pakistan – Johannesburg
- Sri Lanka vs Qualifier B – Windhoek
11 October
- Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – Bulawayo
12 October
- Australia vs Qualifier A – Paarl
- New Zealand vs Bangladesh – KuGompo City
13 October
- England vs Sri Lanka – Windhoek
- South Africa vs Qualifier B – Paarl
14 October
- India vs Afghanistan – Tshwane
15 October
- Pakistan vs Qualifier A – Bloemfontein
- Zimbabwe vs Australia – Harare
16 October
- Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – Durban
- South Africa vs England – Gqeberha
17 October
- India vs Qualifier A – Bloemfontein
- New Zealand vs Qualifier B – Harare
18 October
- Australia vs Afghanistan – KuGompo City
19 October
- Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – Harare
- South Africa vs Bangladesh – Durban
20 October
- New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – Johannesburg
- England vs Qualifier B – Harare
21 October
- Afghanistan vs Qualifier A – KuGompo City
22 October
- Australia vs Pakistan – Paarl
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka – Johannesburg
23 October
- England vs New Zealand – Gqeberha
- Bangladesh vs Qualifier B – Tshwane
24 October
- Zimbabwe vs India – Victoria Falls
The complete fixture list was released by the ICC on 1 October 2026.
India at ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027
India will enter the 2027 World Cup in Group A, alongside Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifier.
India’s Group Stage fixtures include:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2027 | India vs Australia | Cape Town |
| 10 Oct 2027 | India vs Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| 14 Oct 2027 | India vs Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| 17 Oct 2027 | India vs Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| 24 Oct 2027 | India vs Zimbabwe | Victoria Falls |
India’s opening match against Australia will be particularly notable because Australia defeated India in the 2023 World Cup final. The two sides will meet again in Cape Town to begin India’s Group Stage campaign.
India vs Pakistan: One of the Biggest Matches
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament will be India vs Pakistan on 10 October 2027.
The match is scheduled to take place at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
With India and Pakistan placed in the same Group A, their Group Stage encounter will be one of the major fixtures of the tournament.
The rivalry between the two teams has historically attracted huge global audiences, making this fixture an important part of the 2027 World Cup schedule.
Australia: Defending Champions
Australia enter the 2027 World Cup as the defending Men’s Cricket World Cup champions, having won the 2023 tournament in India.
Australia are placed in Group A alongside:
- India
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Zimbabwe
- Qualifier A
Their Group Stage fixtures include matches against India, Qualifier A, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The opening match of the main Group Stage will see Australia face India in Cape Town on 7 October 2027, recreating the 2023 World Cup final matchup.
South Africa’s World Cup Campaign
As one of the co-hosts, South Africa will have the opportunity to play several matches in familiar conditions.
South Africa are placed in Group B, alongside:
- New Zealand
- Sri Lanka
- England
- Bangladesh
- Qualifier B
South Africa’s scheduled Group Stage matches include:
- South Africa vs New Zealand – Cape Town
- South Africa vs Qualifier B – Paarl
- South Africa vs England – Gqeberha
- South Africa vs Bangladesh – Durban
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka – Johannesburg
The home conditions could make South Africa’s campaign one of the major storylines of the tournament, although actual results will depend on performances during the competition.
Zimbabwe’s World Cup Matches
Zimbabwe will also be one of the co-hosts and will play its Group Stage matches across Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Zimbabwe are in Group A with India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qualifier A.
Scheduled matches include:
- Zimbabwe vs Qualifier A – Bulawayo
- Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – Bulawayo
- Zimbabwe vs Australia – Harare
- Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – Harare
- Zimbabwe vs India – Victoria Falls
The India vs Zimbabwe match on 24 October 2027 will be the first Cricket World Cup match at the new venue in Victoria Falls, according to the ICC schedule.
Namibia’s Role in the 2027 World Cup
Namibia will have a unique role in the 2027 tournament.
Although Namibia is one of the three host countries, it must still qualify as a playing nation.
The Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will host the three Super Series matches as well as three Group Stage matches.
This makes the tournament particularly significant for the development and visibility of cricket in Namibia.
Super 7 Stage Schedule
The Super 7 stage begins on 25 October 2027 and continues until 14 November 2027.
The currently seeded schedule includes major potential matchups involving India, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England.
Some notable scheduled Super 7 fixtures include:
- 25 October – Australia vs Sri Lanka – Johannesburg
- 26 October – New Zealand vs Pakistan – Gqeberha
- 28 October – India vs Australia – Victoria Falls
- 31 October – South Africa vs India – Johannesburg
- 4 November – India vs New Zealand – Paarl
- 7 November – India vs Pakistan – Cape Town
- 9 November – South Africa vs Australia – Gqeberha
- 11 November – India vs England – Gqeberha
- 12 November – South Africa vs New Zealand – Cape Town
- 14 November – India vs Sri Lanka – Durban
The Super 7 fixtures use seeded positions, so some team matchups are dependent on which teams qualify and where they finish in the Group Stage.
ICC World Cup 2027 Semi-Finals
The top four teams from the Super 7 standings will qualify for the semi-finals.
The semi-final schedule is:
Semi-Final 1
17 November 2027 – Cape Town
Semi-Final 2
18 November 2027 – Tshwane
Both semi-finals will have reserve days.
The team finishing first in the Super 7 standings will play the fourth-placed team, while the second-placed team will face the third-placed team.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Final
The grand final will take place on:
Date: 21 November 2027
Venue: Johannesburg
Reserve Day: 22 November 2027
The final will determine the new ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champion.
Australia are the defending champions following their victory in the 2023 edition.
Why the 2027 World Cup Is Special
The 2027 World Cup represents an important moment for international cricket for several reasons.
1. Return of the World Cup to Africa
The Men’s Cricket World Cup returns to Africa for the first time since the 2003 edition.
South Africa and Zimbabwe were among the hosts in 2003, while Namibia will host World Cup matches for the first time at senior men’s level.
2. Expanded 14-Team Tournament
The tournament expands from 10 teams to 14 teams.
The new format is designed to provide additional opportunities for teams while maintaining competitive stages leading to the semi-finals.
3. New Super 7 Format
The introduction of the Super 7 stage adds another round of high-profile matches before the knockout phase.
Teams must perform consistently across multiple stages to reach the semi-finals.
4. Three Host Nations
The tournament will showcase cricket across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, providing fans with the opportunity to experience different cricketing environments and cities.
5. 57 Matches Across 12 Venues
With 57 matches at 12 venues, the tournament will provide an extensive schedule for cricket fans around the world.
ICC World Cup 2027 Ticket Information
The ICC has also opened the ticket-ballot process around the schedule announcement.
Fans can enter the ballot for individual matches and request up to four tickets per match. Where demand exceeds available tickets, a randomised ballot will determine which successful applicants receive the opportunity to purchase tickets.
Entering the ballot does not itself guarantee tickets.
How to Follow the ICC World Cup 2027
Cricket fans can follow the tournament through official ICC channels and major broadcast and digital platforms.
For fans in India, the ICC has announced JioHotstar and Star Sports as platforms for the schedule launch and tournament coverage arrangements. Other territories have their own official broadcast partners.
For live scores, match schedules, scorecards, statistics and other tournament updates, the Cricbuzz World Cup 2027 page provides dedicated coverage.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Super Series begins | 2 October 2027 |
| Super Series ends | 6 October 2027 |
| Group Stage begins | 7 October 2027 |
| India vs Australia | 7 October 2027 |
| India vs Pakistan | 10 October 2027 |
| Group Stage ends | 24 October 2027 |
| Super 7 begins | 25 October 2027 |
| Super 7 ends | 14 November 2027 |
| Semi-Final 1 | 17 November 2027 |
| Semi-Final 2 | 18 November 2027 |
| World Cup Final | 21 November 2027 |
| Final reserve day | 22 November 2027 |
Conclusion
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 promises to be a major celebration of ODI cricket, combining established cricketing nations with an expanded tournament structure and three host countries.
With 14 teams, 57 matches, 12 venues and a new Super 7 stage, the tournament will provide a different World Cup experience compared with recent editions.
For Indian cricket fans, fixtures such as India vs Australia on 7 October and India vs Pakistan on 10 October will be among the major early attractions. The return of the World Cup to Africa, the involvement of Namibia as a host, and the introduction of the new competition format will also make the 2027 edition distinctive.
As the tournament approaches, fans will be watching qualification battles, squad announcements, player form, venue conditions and the final preparations across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 final in Johannesburg on 21 November has now officially begun.
Note: Fixture information is based on the ICC’s schedule announcement dated 1 October 2026 and may be subject to official updates. Cricbuzz currently provides the dedicated World Cup 2027 matches, tables, statistics, squads, news, venues and other tournament sections.
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