Published:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to jointly host the 14-team ODI tournament from October 2 to November 21, 2027.
The tournament will feature 57 matches across 12 venues, marking the return of the Men’s Cricket World Cup to Africa for the first time since 2003. Namibia will also host matches at the senior Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time.
The tournament will officially begin on October 2, 2027, with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek, Namibia.
The Super Series will involve the three lowest-ranked teams among the 14 qualified sides. The teams will play each other once, with the team finishing top advancing to the main Group Stage.
The Super Series matches are scheduled for:
October 2: Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 3 – Windhoek
October 4: Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 2 – Windhoek
October 6: Qualifier 2 vs Qualifier 3 – Windhoek
The remaining 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six.
The Group Stage begins on October 7, 2027, with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Australia and India at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
The match will be a repeat of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final, when Australia defeated India to lift the trophy.
India have been placed in Group A, alongside Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A.
India
Australia
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Zimbabwe
Qualifier A
South Africa
England
Qualifier B
The final two teams in the groups will be determined through the qualification process.
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament will see India take on Pakistan on October 10, 2027, at the iconic Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
India's Group Stage campaign will therefore feature major contests against both Australia and Pakistan.
India's scheduled Group Stage fixtures include:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 7, 2027 | India vs Australia | Cape Town |
| October 10, 2027 | India vs Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| October 14, 2027 | India vs Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| October 17, 2027 | India vs Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| October 24, 2027 | Zimbabwe vs India | Victoria Falls |
The ICC has also scheduled Zimbabwe vs India as the final Group Stage match for India, with the game taking place at the new Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls.
Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe will also begin their campaigns during the opening week.
South Africa are scheduled to face New Zealand in Cape Town, while Zimbabwe will play Qualifier A in Bulawayo.
South Africa's campaign includes several major Group Stage fixtures, including matches against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia.
Zimbabwe will have the opportunity to play a historic home fixture against India at Victoria Falls later in the Group Stage.
The 2027 World Cup will feature a new competition structure.
Following the Group Stage, the top three teams from each group will progress to the Super 7 phase. The better-performing fourth-placed team from the two groups will also qualify, creating a seven-team Super 7 stage.
The Super 7 phase will determine the four teams that advance to the semi-finals.
At the end of the Super 7 stage:
1st place will play 4th place in the first semi-final.
2nd place will play 3rd place in the second semi-final.
The two semi-final winners will meet in the World Cup final.
The first semi-final is scheduled for November 17, 2027, in Cape Town, while the second semi-final will take place on November 18 in Tshwane.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 final will be played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on November 21, 2027.
Both semi-finals and the final have reserve days in case weather or other circumstances prevent the matches from being completed on the scheduled day.
The tournament will be spread across 12 venues.
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Tshwane
Durban
Gqeberha
Bloemfontein
Paarl
KuGompo City
Harare
Bulawayo
Victoria Falls
Windhoek
The distribution will give fans across the three host nations the opportunity to watch World Cup cricket on home soil.
October 2, 2027: Tournament begins with the Super Series in Namibia
October 7, 2027: Group Stage begins with India vs Australia
October 10, 2027: India vs Pakistan in Johannesburg
October 24, 2027: Zimbabwe vs India at Victoria Falls
November 17, 2027: Semi-final 1
November 18, 2027: Semi-final 2
November 21, 2027: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Final
Alongside the schedule announcement, the ICC has opened the ticket ballot for fans interested in attending the 2027 World Cup. The ICC says ticket options include affordable pricing as well as family, student, pensioner and community packages.
The full official fixture announcement is available from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 promises a major cricket spectacle across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. With India facing Australia in the opening Group Stage match, an India-Pakistan clash in Johannesburg and a new Super 7 format leading into the semi-finals, the tournament schedule has set up several major fixtures well ahead of the competition.
