The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the 12 venues for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027, which will also be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly.
With the announcement, the 50 over World Cup comes back to Africa after 24 years, a feat achieved by the 2003 event co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
During a special ceremony held in the presence of several sporting legends including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, the host venues were unveiled at the event.
South Africa will host matches at 8 stadiums; Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl) and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City).
Zimbabwe will host games at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo) and the recently established Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.
The Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will be the venue for the majority of Namibian games.
ICC Chair Jay Shah hailed the move of the tournament to the continent as a historic occasion, and he predicted a spectacular performance for the three host countries that will highlight the diversity and love of cricket in Africa.
There will be 57 ODIs during the 2027 World Cup, and the event will also implement a new format, where the first three stages will be played with an objective of adding to the competitiveness and the overall experience of the game.