The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 will run from 2 October to 21 November 2027, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly hosting the tournament. Fourteen teams will compete in 57 matches across 12 venues, with the final in Johannesburg. It will be the first men’s ODI World Cup held in Africa since 2003.
The tournament begins with the Super Series, followed by a 12-team Group Stage and a new Super 7 round before the semi-finals. The official ticket ballot is also open, allowing fans to register for the chance to purchase tickets.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Tournament Dates
The World Cup begins on 2 October, while the Group Stage starts five days later with defending champions Australia facing India in Cape Town.
Dates for Each Stage
- Super Series: 2–6 October 2027
- Group Stage: 7–24 October 2027
- Super 7: 25 October–14 November 2027
- Semi-finals: 17 and 18 November 2027
- Final: 21 November 2027
- Final reserve day: 22 November 2027
Host Countries and Venues
South Africa will host matches at eight venues, Zimbabwe at three and Namibia at one. The Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will stage all three Super Series matches and three group games.
The new Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls will host its first World Cup match on 24 October, when Zimbabwe face India in the final Group Stage fixture.
Group Stage Schedule and Key Matches
The 12 teams are divided into two groups of six. Each side plays the other five teams in its group once, making a total of 30 group matches.
Group A and Group B
| Group A | Group B |
| India | New Zealand |
| Australia | South Africa |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| Afghanistan | England |
| Zimbabwe | Bangladesh |
| Qualifier A | Qualifier B |
The top three teams from each group advance to the Super 7. The seventh spot goes to the better fourth-placed team across the two groups.
Full Group Stage Schedule
All dates below are in 2027.
| Date | Match | Host city |
| 7 October | India vs Australia | Cape Town |
| 8 October | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| 8 October | England vs Bangladesh | Windhoek |
| 9 October | Zimbabwe vs Qualifier A | Bulawayo |
| 9 October | South Africa vs New Zealand | Cape Town |
| 10 October | India vs Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| 10 October | Sri Lanka vs Qualifier B | Windhoek |
| 11 October | Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | Bulawayo |
| 12 October | Australia vs Qualifier A | Paarl |
| 12 October | New Zealand vs Bangladesh | KuGompo City |
| 13 October | England vs Sri Lanka | Windhoek |
| 13 October | South Africa vs Qualifier B | Paarl |
| 14 October | India vs Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| 15 October | Pakistan vs Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| 15 October | Zimbabwe vs Australia | Harare |
| 16 October | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Durban |
| 16 October | South Africa vs England | Gqeberha |
| 17 October | India vs Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| 17 October | New Zealand vs Qualifier B | Harare |
| 18 October | Australia vs Afghanistan | KuGompo City |
| 19 October | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan | Harare |
| 19 October | South Africa vs Bangladesh | Durban |
| 20 October | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Johannesburg |
| 20 October | England vs Qualifier B | Harare |
| 21 October | Afghanistan vs Qualifier A | KuGompo City |
| 22 October | Australia vs Pakistan | Paarl |
| 22 October | South Africa vs Sri Lanka | Johannesburg |
| 23 October | England vs New Zealand | Gqeberha |
| 23 October | Bangladesh vs Qualifier B | Tshwane |
| 24 October | Zimbabwe vs India | Victoria Falls |
For individual ground details and any schedule changes, check the official ICC fixture schedule.
Standout Group Fixtures
India and Australia open the Group Stage on 7 October in a rematch of the 2023 final. India then face Pakistan at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on 10 October.
South Africa begin their home campaign against New Zealand on 9 October, while Zimbabwe take on Qualifier A on the same day.
The closing days feature Australia vs Pakistan, South Africa vs Sri Lanka and England vs New Zealand. Depending on the points table, these matches could prove decisive in the race for Super 7 qualification.
World Cup Qualification Explained
Ten teams have secured direct entry into the Group Stage. The World Cup Qualifier will determine the remaining four tournament participants, with those teams entering at different stages.
Direct Qualification and Host Places
South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified automatically as hosts. Eight other teams secured direct entry through the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings at the 30 September 2026 cut-off.
Namibia does not receive automatic qualification as a co-host and must earn its place through the qualification pathway.
How the Remaining Teams Enter
The World Cup Qualifier winner advances directly to the Group Stage. The second-, third- and fourth-placed teams enter the Super Series, where they compete for the final group-stage spot.
Qualifier A and Qualifier B remain placeholders in the published fixtures until the relevant teams are confirmed.
Super Series and Super 7 Format Explained
The Super Series completes the Group Stage line-up, while the Super 7 determines which four teams reach the semi-finals.
Super Series: Three Teams, One Place
The three teams entering from the World Cup Qualifier will play a single round-robin in Windhoek on 2, 4 and 6 October.
Each side plays two matches. Only the team finishing top advances to the Group Stage, while the other two are eliminated from the World Cup.
Super 7: No Points Carried Forward
The Super 7 runs from 25 October to 14 November. Each qualifying team plays the other six once, making it a 21-match round.
Group Stage points do not carry forward. All seven teams start on zero points, and the top four in the final standings advance to the semi-finals.
Pre-Seeding Does Not Mean Automatic Qualification
The ICC has assigned the following Super 7 slots:
- A1: India
- A2: Australia
- A3: Pakistan
- B1: New Zealand
- B2: South Africa
- B3: Sri Lanka
- AB4: England
These allocations help fans plan around potential fixtures and venues, but they do not guarantee qualification. Each team must still earn its place through the Group Stage.
If a pre-seeded team fails to qualify, the qualifying side that replaces it takes that slot. For example, the A2 vs B3 fixture on 25 October will be Australia vs Sri Lanka only if both teams reach the Super 7.
Semi-Final and Final Schedule
The top four teams from the Super 7 move into knockout cricket. The team finishing first faces fourth, while second meets third. The winners advance to the final.
Semi-Final Dates and Venues
- First semi-final: 17 November at Newlands, Cape Town
- Second semi-final: 18 November at Centurion, Tshwane
Both matches have reserve days to account for weather interruptions.
Final Venue and Start Time in IST
The final will take place at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on 21 November, with 22 November set aside as the reserve day.
All three knockout matches are scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. local time, equivalent to 1:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST).
World Cup Ticket Ballot and Prices
Fans can now enter the official ticket ballot. Registration is free, but it does not guarantee tickets.
Registration Process and Deadline
Apply through the official World Cup ticket ballot website.
Each person can submit one entry per match and apply for multiple matches. The ballot is not first-come, first-served, so registering earlier does not improve your chances.
Where demand exceeds the available ticket allocation, purchasing opportunities will be decided through a randomised ballot. Successful applicants will receive instructions by email.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. South African Standard Time on 21 November 2026, equivalent to 3:29 a.m. IST on 22 November. No payment is required during registration.
Ticket Prices and Concessions
The ICC has announced ticket prices ranging from R158 to R514. The equivalent amount in Indian rupees will depend on the exchange rate at the time of payment.
Family bundles, student and pensioner pricing, and school or community club group options are also planned. Check the ticket category and applicable concession conditions before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which countries are hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027?
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the tournament across 12 venues. Both semi-finals and the final will be played in South Africa.
Q2. When does the World Cup start and finish?
The tournament begins with the Super Series on 2 October 2027. The Group Stage starts on 7 October, and the final is scheduled for 21 November, with a reserve day on 22 November.
Q3. Why do only 12 of the 14 teams enter the Group Stage?
Three teams begin in the Super Series, and only its winner progresses. That team joins the ten direct qualifiers and the World Cup Qualifier winner in the Group Stage.
Q4. Do Group Stage points carry into the Super 7?
No. All seven teams start on zero points and play each other once. The top four in the Super 7 standings qualify for the semi-finals.
Q5. Does ticket ballot registration guarantee tickets?
No. Registration is free and gives fans the chance to be selected for ticket purchasing. Successful applicants receive further instructions by email.
Final Thoughts: From Windhoek to Johannesburg
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 schedule is now confirmed, from the opening Super Series in Windhoek to the final in Johannesburg. The remaining qualifiers will complete the line-up, while the Super 7 will decide which four teams reach the semi-finals.
Fans can use the published fixtures to plan their viewing or travel, check match timings in IST and keep track of official ticket ballot updates. Follow Vijaybsport for more World Cup news, fixture updates and match previews as the tournament approaches.
