ICC identifies Oct 1-Nov 21 window for 2027 World Cup

The International Cricket Council has identified a window for the 2027 World Cup to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The identified window runs from October 1 to November 21, with the tournament proper tentatively likely to begin on October 8. The final is scheduled for November 21.

The pre-tournament warm-up matches will be played from October 1 to October 7, before the World Cup gets underway. The venues for the opening game and the final have yet to be finalised.

Cricket South Africa will host 40 of the 54 matches, with the remaining 14 to be shared between Zimbabwe Cricket and Cricket Namibia. A Zimbabwe Cricket official confirmed that in addition to Harare and Bulawayo, a third venue will be added. Victoria Falls is expected to be one of the venues.

Unlike the last two editions featuring 10 teams, the 2027 edition will have 14 sides divided into two groups of seven each for the league stage. The top three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stage, followed by the knockouts.

More details may emerge after the ICC Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh from July 8 to 11.