Next Cricket World Cup 2027: Dates, Hosts & Teams

By Sarah Miller · September 13, 2036

The next ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be held in 2027, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 8 to November 13, 2027. This will be the first time these three nations jointly host the tournament, marking a historic moment for cricket in southern Africa.

Overview of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup

The 2027 Cricket World Cup is set to be one of the most anticipated editions in recent history. With ten full-member teams expected to participate, the tournament will follow a round-robin group stage followed by knockout rounds. The event will span five weeks, featuring high-stakes matches across multiple iconic venues in southern Africa.

Key Tournament Details

Dates: October 8 – November 13, 2027
Host Nations: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Participating Teams: 10 ICC Full Members (TBC)
Format: Round-robin league stage, top four advance to semi-finals
Final Venue: Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (provisional)
Defending Champions: England (2023 winners)

Historical Context and Tournament Evolution

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup began in 1975 and has since become the sport’s premier international event. Held every four years, it showcases elite-level ODI cricket and draws billions of viewers globally. The 2027 edition continues the tradition of expanding cricket’s footprint into emerging markets while maintaining competitive integrity.

Milestones in Recent World Cups

2015: Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand; Australia won.
2019: Hosted by England and Wales; England claimed their first title.
2023: Hosted by India; Australia defeated India in the final.
2027: First tri-nation hosting in World Cup history.

Venues and Infrastructure Development

South Africa will serve as the primary host, utilizing major stadiums such as Wanderers (Johannesburg), SuperSport Park (Centurion), and Kingsmead (Durban). Zimbabwe and Namibia will contribute regional venues, including Harare Sports Club and Windhoek Cricket Stadium, with upgrades underway to meet ICC standards.

Planned Host Stadiums

Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (capacity: ~30,000)
Newlands, Cape Town (capacity: ~25,000)
Harare Sports Club (capacity: ~10,000)
Windhoek Cricket Stadium (under expansion)
SUPERSPORT Park, Centurion

Tournament Year	Host Country(ies)	Champion	Runner-up	Total Matches	Average Attendance
2015	Australia & New Zealand	Australia	New Zealand	49	31,500
2019	England & Wales	England	New Zealand	48	28,700
2023	India	Australia	India	48	42,300
2027 (Projected)	South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia	TBD	TBD	52 (estimated)	26,000 (estimated)

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights the growing scale of the Cricket World Cup, with increasing match counts and attendance. The 2023 tournament in India achieved the highest average attendance due to massive stadium capacities and strong fan engagement. The 2027 edition is projected to draw solid crowds, particularly in South Africa, though lower capacity venues in Zimbabwe and Namibia may affect overall averages.

Qualification Process and Participating Teams

Ten teams will compete in the 2027 World Cup. Automatic qualification goes to the top eight teams in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings as of June 2026. The remaining two spots will be determined through the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, featuring associate and lower-ranked full-member nations.

Potential Qualified Teams (Based on Current Form)

Australia
India
England
New Zealand
South Africa
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh
Afghanistan or Zimbabwe (via qualifier)

Commercial and Broadcast Outlook

The 2027 World Cup is expected to generate over $500 million in global broadcast rights and sponsorships. Major partners like Star Sports, Sky Sports, and Disney+ are likely to secure broadcasting deals. Digital streaming platforms such as ICC.tv and Amazon Prime Video may expand access in non-traditional markets.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Next Cricket World Cup

When is the next Cricket World Cup?

The next ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will take place from October 8 to November 13, 2027.

Which countries are hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup?

The 2027 Cricket World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

How many teams will play in the 2027 Cricket World Cup?

Ten teams will participate in the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

How can teams qualify for the 2027 Cricket World Cup?

The top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings as of mid-2026 will gain automatic qualification. The final two spots will be decided through a global qualifier tournament.