ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027: Dates, Venues & Travel Guide

Cricket's biggest tournament returns to Africa for the first time since 2003, when South Africa and Zimbabwe last co-hosted. The 2027 edition runs October 4 to November 21 and adds Namibia as a host nation for the first time — 14 teams, 54 group-stage matches, and a format built around a preliminary stage, two groups of seven, a Super Six stage and knockouts.

South Africa carries most of the tournament — at least 41 of the 54 group-stage games across eight venues in cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Zimbabwe hosts between 8 and 10 matches across three venues (Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and a ground in Victoria Falls), while Namibia hosts three matches. That split matters for planning: a South African base gives you access to the bulk of the tournament, while Zimbabwe and Namibia trips are realistically single-match, single-destination additions rather than a full touring circuit.

What's Confirmed So Far

The ICC has confirmed host countries, the overall date window, and the venue split between the three nations. What hasn't been published yet, as of this guide's last verification, is the match-by-match fixture list — which team plays where, and on which date. That schedule typically follows roughly nine to twelve months before the tournament starts, so travelers planning around a specific team or match should hold off on non-refundable flight bookings until fixtures are out.

How Much Does a Trip Cost?

Ticket prices for individual matches were not yet published as of this guide's last verification — check the official ICC ticketing portal once sales open. The estimates below cover the wider trip: accommodation, food, local transport and general match-day admission, based on typical South African travel costs.

Getting There & Around

Where to Stay

With match venues spread across three countries and multiple South African cities, where to stay depends entirely on which matches you're targeting — which, as noted above, weren't yet confirmed at last verification. Once fixtures are published, book host-city accommodation as early as possible: South Africa's major cities have solid hotel capacity outside peak matches, but the biggest fixtures (opening match, South Africa's own games, the final) will compress availability and prices.

What Else to Do

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the 2027 Cricket World Cup?

October 4 to November 21, 2027, hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Has Namibia hosted a Cricket World Cup before?

No — 2027 marks the first time Namibia has hosted matches at this tournament, alongside co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Is the match schedule available yet?

Not as of this guide's last verification. The ICC has confirmed host countries, dates and the venue split, but the detailed fixture list (which team plays where and when) typically follows closer to the tournament. Check the official ICC site before booking match-specific travel.

Can I combine the tournament with a safari?

Yes — South Africa's own game reserves and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls venue both make a cricket-and-safari combination genuinely practical, more so than most other Cricket World Cup hosts.