Preparations are in full swing for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, set to be hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has revealed the venues that will stage the 54 matches of the tournament. This marks a significant milestone as South Africa and Zimbabwe team up to host the World Cup again, and Namibia steps up to host such a large tournament for the first time.
South Africa will be the primary host, managing 44 matches, while Zimbabwe and Namibia will each host a share of the remaining 10 matches. The selected stadiums in South Africa include Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, Centurion Park in Pretoria, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, St George’s Park in Gqeberha, Buffalo Park in East London, and Boland Park in Paarl. These venues are renowned for their state-of-the-art facilities and their rich cricketing heritage.
Trevor Manuel, former Finance Minister of South Africa, will lead the local organizing committee. The matches will be held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, and Paarl. Pearl Mofokeng, President of CSA, stated that the goal is to create an event that is global, inspiring, and reflective of South Africa, showcasing its diversity, inclusivity, and unity.
The 2027 World Cup will adopt a format similar to the 2003 World Cup, involving 14 teams. These teams will be divided into two groups, with seven teams in each group. South Africa previously hosted the tournament in 2003 alongside Zimbabwe and Kenya, which saw Australia emerge victorious.