ICC Sets 2027 ODI World Cup Dates and African Hosts

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally locked in the 2027 men's ODI World Cup window from 4 October to 21 November 2027. The tournament will revert to a 14‑team format and will be co‑hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with South Africa expected to stage the majority of the 54 matches, Zimbabwe about eight to ten games and Namibia a handful.

Final approval of the schedule, format and venue allocations is slated for the ICC Annual General Meeting in July 2026 in Edinburgh. Construction of the new Fale Mosi‑oa‑Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Zimbabwe is on track to be completed later in 2026, providing a concrete venue for the multi‑country hosting plan. Indian veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have indicated they intend to play what could be their final ODI World Cup at the African event.

The provisional dates and expanded format have sparked debate within the cricket community over competitive balance and logistical challenges, but the ICC indicated the window is broadly agreed upon pending formal sign‑off at the AGM.