South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia to host 2027 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched the brand identity and announced the 12 host cities for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 on Thursday, marking a major milestone ahead of the tournament's return to Africa for the first time in 24 years.

The launch ceremony, held at Johannesburg's Inanda Polo Club, introduced the tournament's official campaign, "Make the Circle Bigger," a theme inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu and symbolising unity, inclusion and community as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia prepare to co-host cricket's flagship 50-over event in October and November 2027.

The tournament will be played across 12 venues — eight in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia — bringing together the world's top 14 ODI teams in what the ICC described as a celebration of cricket and African culture.

South Africa's host venues include Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George's Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl) and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City). Zimbabwe will stage matches at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will host fixtures for the first time in the country's history.

The ICC said the tournament's visual identity draws inspiration from the traditional circular African woven bowl, a symbol of hospitality, togetherness and shared experiences across Southern Africa.

"The unveiling of the host cities and the tournament brand signals the start of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of our sport's biggest global events," ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.

"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."

ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta described the tournament as more than just a sporting spectacle, saying it would celebrate Africa's diverse cultures while inspiring future generations.

"The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup represents the legacy and spectacle of limited-overs cricket. It also marks the return of the pinnacle event to Africa after more than two decades and will celebrate a continent defined by extraordinary people, vibrant cultures, breathtaking experiences and a deep love for sport," Gupta said.

He added that every host city would offer fans a unique cultural experience while contributing to a tournament designed to leave a lasting regional and global legacy.

The event also marked the official unveiling of the Local Organising Committee's vision for the tournament.

LOC Board Chairman Trevor Manuel said the 2027 World Cup would represent far more than a cricket tournament.

"Today is far more than the unveiling of a tournament brand and host cities; it is the moment Africa begins its invitation to the world," Manuel said.

"We are determined to deliver a tournament that will be remembered not only for exceptional cricket, but for the warmth of our people, the richness of our cultures and the lasting legacy it leaves for communities and for the growth of the game across the continent."

LOC Chief Executive Qondisa Ngwenya said the campaign slogan reflected the organisers' ambition to grow cricket across Africa while delivering an inclusive tournament.

"'Make the Circle Bigger' is a powerful expression of our ambition to inspire new generations, bring more people into the game and create an event that is inclusive, vibrant and unmistakably African," Ngwenya said.

The ceremony brought together several cricket greats from the three host nations, including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada from South Africa, Hamilton Masakadza from Zimbabwe and Namibia's Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat."

The 2027 World Cup will feature a revamped 57-match competition format aimed at increasing competitiveness throughout the tournament.

A preliminary Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th to 14th will determine the final qualifier for the main event. The remaining 12 teams will then compete in two groups of six, with the top three teams from each group and the next best-placed side advancing to the Super Seven stage.

The Super Seven will consist of 21 matches, after which the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals before the finalists compete for the World Cup trophy.

The tournament will be the first Men's Cricket World Cup jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. While South Africa and Zimbabwe previously co-hosted the 2003 edition, Namibia will stage World Cup matches for the first time, making the 2027 event a historic milestone for cricket in the region.

With nearly 16 months of preparations now underway following the branding launch, organisers say the tournament aims to combine world-class cricket with Southern Africa's cultural heritage, offering fans from across the globe an experience unlike any previous Cricket World Cup.