Australia have a good time after defeating India within the 2023 ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup closing at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, on November 19, 2023. — AFP
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday introduced 12 host venues for the 2027 ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup, which can be staged throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The announcement was made throughout a launch ceremony in Johannesburg, the place eight cities in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, have been confirmed as hosts for the 50-over showpiece.
South Africa will host matches at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands Cricket Floor in Cape City, Kingsmead Cricket Floor in Durban, St George’s Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo Metropolis, previously often called East London.
Zimbabwe’s venues can be Harare Sports activities Membership in Harare, Queens Sports activities Membership in Bulawayo and Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, whereas Namibia Cricket Floor in Windhoek will host the nation’s matches.
Followers can now register their curiosity to obtain updates on ticket gross sales and different match info forward of the competitors.
The ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup returns to Africa for the primary time in 24 years after South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya collectively hosted the 2003 version.
The 2027 match, which can characteristic the world’s prime 14 groups, can be staged below the theme “Three Nations, One Heartbeat”, celebrating the shared optimism, variety and unity of the three host nations.
The occasion will even embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — highlighting compassion, togetherness and human connection.
This aligns with the match’s “Make the Circle Bigger” marketing campaign, reflecting the area’s cultural variety, 29 formally recognised languages and shared ardour for cricket.
“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” ICC Chairman Jay Shah mentioned.
“The unveiling of the host cities and the tournament brand signals the beginning of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of our sport’s biggest global events.
“The return of this prestigious match to Africa after 24 years is a landmark second for cricket. We’re assured that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will ship an unforgettable occasion, showcasing the heat, ardour and wealthy variety that make this area really distinctive.”
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta described the World Cup as the pinnacle of one-day cricket and said its return to Africa would celebrate the continent’s vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes and enduring love for the sport.
“The colourful model unveiled as we speak displays the power, ambition and spirit of the occasion, whereas each host metropolis presents followers a novel alternative to expertise the heat and variety that make Africa really memorable,” Gupta mentioned.
He added that the match would depart an enduring legacy by serving to develop the sport and provoking future generations of cricketers throughout the area.
A number of cricketing greats attended the launch ceremony, together with South Africa’s Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and Namibia’s Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
The match’s visible identification is impressed by the standard African wire bowl and incorporates colors representing the three host nations, together with Zimbabwe Chilli, African Root, Fynbos Pop, Namib Dune, Harare Daybreak and Two Oceans.
South Africa has hosted a number of main ICC occasions since co-hosting the 2003 World Cup, together with the inaugural ICC Males’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Girls’s T20 World Cup in 2023, and the ICC Beneath-19 Males’s Cricket World Cups in 2020 and 2024.
Zimbabwe additionally co-hosted the 2003 version, whereas Namibia will stage its first senior ICC international match. Each Zimbabwe and Namibia hosted matches throughout this yr’s ICC Beneath-19 Males’s Cricket World Cup.
The 2027 ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup will characteristic 57 matches below a brand new three-stage competitors format designed to extend competitiveness. A Tremendous Sequence involving the groups ranked twelfth to 14th will decide the ultimate qualifier for the primary occasion.
The remaining 12 groups will then compete in two teams of six in a 30-match round-robin stage, with the highest three groups from every group and the following best-placed facet advancing to the Tremendous Seven stage.
The Tremendous Seven will comprise 21 round-robin matches earlier than the highest 4 groups qualify for the semi-finals, the place the first-placed facet will face the fourth-placed crew and the second-placed facet will meet the third-placed crew for locations within the closing.
Host nations, venues:
South Africa
Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg)
Centurion (Tshwane)
Newlands Cricket Floor (Cape City)
Kingsmead Cricket Floor (Durban)
St George’s Park (Gqeberha)
Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein)
Boland Park (Paarl)
Buffalo Park (KuGompo Metropolis, previously often called East London)
Zimbabwe
Harare Sports activities Membership (Harare)
Queens Sports activities Membership (Bulawayo)
Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya Worldwide Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls)
Namibia
Namibia Cricket Floor (Windhoek)
