The International Cricket Council has officially announced the schedule and ticket ballot for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, introducing an exciting new tournament format. Co-hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the tournament kicks off on October 2 and runs until the final on November 21, 2027. With 14 teams competing across 12 venues, the revised structure brings a fresh dynamic to global ODI cricket.
The Qualification Pathway and Super Series
The road to the 2027 tournament features unique qualification mechanisms. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified directly as co-hosts, joined by the top eight teams on the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings as of the September 30, 2026 cut-off. The remaining four spots are decided via the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The top-placed finisher goes directly into the group stage, while the next three teams compete in a high-stakes three-team Super Series in Windhoek, Namibia, on October 2, 4, and 6 to claim the final group stage berth.
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Group Stage and Pre-Seeded Super 7 Format
For the group stage, the 13 teams are split into two groups of six. Group A features India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Qualifier A, while Group B comprises New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, and Qualifier B. Group stage action begins on October 7 with a blockbuster repeat of the 2023 final between India and Australia in Cape Town.
The top three teams from each group, along with the better-performing fourth-place finisher across both groups, advance to the Super 7 phase. Running from October 25 to November 14, teams enter the Super 7 stage with zero points carried over, playing six new matches. To help fans and stakeholders plan travel and ticket purchases with confidence, top teams have been pre-seeded into designated positions—such as India as A1, Australia as A2, and New Zealand as B1. If a non-seeded team displaces a pre-seeded team, they inherit that exact spot and fixture pathway.
Towards the Knockouts
Following the Super 7 phase, the top four teams progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 17 in Cape Town and November 18 in Tshwane, both featuring reserve days. The tournament culminates in the grand final on November 21 in Johannesburg, with a reserve day set for November 22, promising an unforgettable showcase of cricket under the new format.
