Cricket World Cup 2027: Hosts, Format, Teams and What We Know
Short answer
The 2027 Cricket World Cup is set for South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October–November 2027, with 14 teams and 54 matches in a groups-plus-Super-Six format. Australia are the defending champions.
India’s third T20 World Cup in March 2026 and RCB’s second IPL title in May have kept cricket fans busy all year. The next big one is the 50-over showpiece, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 in southern Africa. Here is what is confirmed so far, what is still to be announced, and what to watch in the year ahead.
Where and when
The 2027 World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and is planned for October and November 2027. South Africa will stage most of the matches. It is the second time South Africa has hosted, after 2003, when Zimbabwe and Kenya also held games. For Namibia it will be a first as a host of the men’s World Cup.
The ICC has said it will release the full fixture list nearer the time. Do not trust any “confirmed schedule” you see on social media before that announcement. Fake schedules appear every cycle.
How many teams and what format
The tournament grows from 10 teams in 2023 to 14 teams, with 54 matches. The plan is two groups of seven. The top three in each group go into a Super Six stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. Fans who remember 2003 will recognise the shape.
Fourteen teams means the qualifiers matter again. Hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically, along with the top-ranked teams in the ODI rankings at the cut-off date. The rest go through a qualifying tournament. Namibia’s automatic place is not guaranteed because it is not a Full Member of the ICC, so its route depends on qualifying results.
Why conditions will matter
South African pitches usually offer more pace and bounce than those in India, especially at venues on the Highveld like Johannesburg and Centurion, which are about 1,500 metres above sea level. The ball travels further in thin air, so expect big totals there. Coastal grounds such as Durban and Cape Town can give swing to seam bowlers early in the day. Spinners who did well in India in 2023 may find life harder, and teams will need genuine fast bowlers.
The favourites, roughly
Australia are defending champions after beating India in Ahmedabad in 2023, and have six titles in total. India are the in-form white-ball team after back-to-back T20 World Cup wins. South Africa will be desperate to win at home, especially after reaching the 2024 T20 final and winning the World Test Championship in 2025. England and New Zealand are always dangerous in ICC events. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka can beat anyone on their day.
It is too early to name squads. Many players who starred in 2023 will be in their late thirties by the end of 2027, so the next 12 months of ODI series will decide a lot of places.
What to follow before the tournament
- Bilateral ODI series in 2026 and 2027. With so much T20 cricket, every ODI series is now a real test for World Cup plans.
- The ODI rankings cut-off. It decides who qualifies directly.
- The qualifier tournament, where associate nations like the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal or the USA can reach the main event.
Follow every international match on the cricket tab of our live scores page. If you want a refresher on who won what, our Cricket World Cup winners list covers every final since 1975.
Planning to travel?
If you are thinking of going, start with the basics: South Africa’s spring weather in October and November is pleasant but can be wet in Johannesburg and Pretoria in the afternoon. Johannesburg is two hours ahead of UTC, so use our world clock to check what that means for start times back home. Ticket sales will be announced by the ICC. Only buy from the official ticketing site.
Quick facts
- Hosts: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia
- Teams: 14
- Matches: 54
- Planned window: October–November 2027
- Defending champions: Australia
A quick look back at 2003
The last time South Africa hosted, in 2003, the tournament had 14 teams, a Super Six stage and plenty of surprises. Kenya reached the semi-finals, helped by forfeited games and a famous win over Sri Lanka. Hosts South Africa went out in the group stage after a rain-affected tie with Sri Lanka, when a misread Duckworth-Lewis sheet left them one run short. Australia beat India by 125 runs in the final in Johannesburg, with Ricky Ponting hitting 140 not out. It is a reminder that bigger tournaments bring more chances for upsets, and that rain rules matter in a southern African spring.
How to follow the build-up without the noise
Cricket news moves fast, and a lot of what trends on social media is rumour. A simple routine helps. Check the ICC website for official announcements on fixtures and tickets. Follow your national board for squad news. Use a live scores page for results rather than screenshots shared in group chats. And be careful with any site offering “early access” tickets or prize draws, because these are a common scam before every big event.
Updated 20 October 2026. Based on ICC announcements on hosts and format. The schedule and venues will be confirmed by the ICC.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with most games in South Africa.
How many teams play in the 2027 World Cup?
Fourteen teams, in two groups of seven, followed by a Super Six stage.
Who won the last Cricket World Cup?
Australia beat India in the 2023 final in Ahmedabad.
