The ICC has officially unveiled the host cities and tournament brand for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, marking a major milestone as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia prepare to co-host the global showpiece in October and November 2027.
The launch, held at Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg, introduced the tournament’s vibrant “Make the Circle Bigger”campaign, inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu and symbolising unity, inclusion and hospitality across the three host nations.
The 2027 edition will be the first Men’s Cricket World Cup hosted in Africa since 2003 and will feature 14 teams competing in 57 matches across 12 venues.
South Africa will host matches at Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl) and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City). Zimbabwe’s venues include Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will host matches for the first time in World Cup history.
Speaking at the launch, ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as an important step towards the tournament.
The return of this prestigious tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket. We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable event, showcasing the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make this region truly unique.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said the tournament would celebrate Africa’s cultures while leaving a lasting legacy for the sport.
Local Organising Committee Board Chairman Trevor Manuel added that the event would showcase the strength of regional collaboration.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will showcase the very best of our three nations and demonstrate what can be achieved when countries unite behind a common purpose.
LOC CEO Qondisa Ngwenya said the tournament aims to inspire new generations while creating an event that is “inclusive, vibrant and unmistakably African.”
The launch also celebrated the tournament’s “Three Nations, One Heartbeat” theme, bringing together cricket legends and current stars including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
The tournament will introduce a new three-stage competition format. A Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th to 14th will determine the final qualifier for the main tournament, followed by a group stage featuring 12 teams. The top seven teams will then advance to the Super Seven phase before the competition concludes with the semi-finals and final.
With its “Make the Circle Bigger” identity and the promise of world-class cricket across Southern Africa, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 is set to unite fans from around the world in one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted on the continent.