The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the complete fixture schedule for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to jointly host the 14th edition of the ODI showpiece. The tournament will feature 14 teams, 57 matches and 12 venues, with the action beginning on October 2, 2027. The final is scheduled for November 21 in Johannesburg, with November 22 kept as the reserve day (World Cup 2027).
India, Australia and Pakistan in Group A
The tournament will have a new three-stage format. A three-team Super Series involving the teams finishing second, third and fourth in the World Cup Qualifier will be played in Windhoek on October 2, 4 and 6. The winner will claim the final place in the main Group Stage.
The 12 remaining teams are divided into two groups of six
Group A: India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A
Group B: New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Qualifier B.
The Group Stage begins on October 7 with a blockbuster meeting between India and defending champions Australia in Cape Town, reprising the 2023 World Cup final. India will then face Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10, before taking on Afghanistan, Qualifier A and Zimbabwe. The India-Zimbabwe fixture on October 24 will be the first World Cup match at the newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.
New Super 7 format and 12 venues
The top three teams from each group, along with the better-performing fourth-placed side, will advance to the Super 7 stage. Unlike some previous tournament formats, points from the Group Stage will not be carried forward. Each Super 7 team will play six matches between October 25 and November 14.
The top four sides will then qualify for the semi-finals. The first semi-final is scheduled for Cape Town on November 17, while the second will be played in Tshwane on November 18. The title clash will take place at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium on November 21.
The 12 venues span eight locations in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia. South African venues include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Paarl and KuGompo City. Zimbabwe will host matches in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, while Windhoek’s Namibia Cricket Ground will stage the Super Series and three Group Stage matches. The World Cup returns to Africa for the first time since 2003, with Namibia hosting matches at the tournament for the first time.
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