The ICC (International Cricket Council) unveiled the 12 venues for the 2027 ODI Men’s Cricket World Cup to be hosted across three countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The global cricket council revealed the names of the venues in a grand ceremony in Johannesburg on Thursday, July 30. Notably, a total of eight cities have been selected from South Africa, three from Zimbabwe and the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, has picked for the forthcoming edition of the quadrennial tournament.
Notably, the upcoming edition of the contest is aligned with the vision of ‘Make the Circle Bigger’, and it plans to display the rich cultural diversity of Africa. Moreover, with it, the organizers aim to showcase Africa’s many languages and a wide range of identities that have come together with the sport. While revealing the venues, ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed confidence that the three host countries will pull off a memorable event showcasing the region’s passion and hospitality.
"The return of this prestigious tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket. We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable event, showcasing the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make this region truly unique," he added.
ICC Unveils Venues for 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe
The marquee tournament will return to Africa after 24 years, with the eighth edition of the contest in 2003 being the last season hosted in the continent when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya served as co-hosts. The eight venues in South Africa set to host the tournament next year include Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, St. George’s Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo City.
On the other hand, Harare Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls have been picked as host venues in Zimbabwe. In addition, Namibia Cricket Ground in capital city Windhoek has been shortlisted in Namibia.
