ICC unveils 12 venues for ODI World Cup 2027 as Africa hosts showpiece after 24 years | Cricket News:

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday officially unveiled the 12 host venues for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, confirming cities across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia to host the 50-over showpiece when it returns to Africa for the first time in 24 years.The announcement was made during a grand ceremony in Johannesburg, where the ICC also unveiled the tournament’s official brand identity, ‘Three Nations, One Heartbeat’, symbolizing the shared spirit of optimism, diversity and unity among the three co-hosts.The 14th edition of the World Cup will feature 57 matches and 14 teams, with eight cities in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe, and the Namibian capital of Windhoek chosen as the host venue.The tournament marks the first Men’s ODI World Cup in Africa since the 2003 edition, which was jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

“A landmark moment for cricket”

ICC chairman: Jay Shah described the venue announcement as a major milestone on the road to the global tournament.“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. The unveiling of the host city and the tournament brand marks the start of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of the biggest global events in our sport,” he said.Shah also highlighted the importance of bringing cricket’s flagship ODI tournament back to Africa.“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, showing the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make this region truly unique,” he added.ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the event will celebrate cricket and the unique identity of the continent.“The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup represents the legacy and spectacle of Limited Overs Cricket,” he said. “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, awe-inspiring experiences and a deep passion for Sport.”Gupta added that the tournament’s strong branding reflects the strength of the host nations while inspiring future generations of fans.

‘Ubuntu’ philosophy and new tournament format

The 2027 edition will be built around the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’ – “I, because we” – and the theme of the campaign ‘Make the Circle Bigger’, celebrating compassion, togetherness and cultural diversity in the 29 officially recognized languages ​​of the region.The tournament logo takes inspiration from the traditional African wire bowl, while its color palette includes shades such as Zimbabwe Chilli, African Root, Fynbos Pop, Namib Dune, Harare Dawn and Two Oceans.The 2027 edition will have a three-stage competition format. It will feature 57 matches and a three-stage format designed to increase competition. Teams ranked 12th through 14th first compete in a Super Series, where the winner advances to the main tournament. The next stage will feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six, each playing a round-robin. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth place, will qualify for the Super 7. After 21 games in the Super 7, the top four teams advance to the semi-finals before the final determines the champions.The launch ceremony was attended by many cricketing greats, including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, as the anticipation officially began for the biggest 50-over spectacle in cricket to return to African soil.

ICC: ODI World Cup 2027 host cities:

South Africa:

Zimbabwe:

Namibia: