Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 Schedule Unveiled: India vs Australia Opener
ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027: Groups and Key Matches
On Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the schedule for the Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2027. India will kick off their Group Stage journey against the reigning champions, Australia, in Cape Town on October 7.
The tournament will feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six. Group A includes India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Qualifier A, while Group B consists of New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, and Qualifier B.
The Group Stage commences on October 7, with the highly anticipated match between India and Australia, reminiscent of the 2023 World Cup final, taking place in Cape Town.
South Africa will face New Zealand in their opening match on October 9, while co-host Zimbabwe will compete against Qualifier A in Bulawayo on the same day.
A highlight of the tournament will be the India vs Pakistan match scheduled for October 10 in Johannesburg.
Tournament Structure, Qualification, and Venues
The tournament will feature 14 teams, with South Africa and Zimbabwe qualifying automatically as hosts, alongside the top eight teams based on the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings as of September 30, 2026.
The remaining four spots will be filled through the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, where the top finisher will secure a direct entry into the Group Stage, while the other three will compete in the Super Series for a chance to qualify.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 7 phase, with the best fourth-place team across both groups claiming the seventh spot.
A total of 12 venues will host the matches, including the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, which will feature three Super Series matches and three group games. Matches will also be held across three venues in Zimbabwe and eight in South Africa.
In Zimbabwe, games will take place in Harare, Bulawayo, and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls. South African venues include Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Bloemfontein, Durban, KuGompo City, and Gqeberha.
ICC Chairman's Remarks on World Cup 2027
Jay Shah, the ICC Chairman, expressed that the announcement of the 2027 World Cup schedule and ticket ballot represents significant milestones. He emphasized the ICC's commitment to making the tournament accessible through affordable ticket options.
Shah stated, "The announcement of the schedule and opening of the ticket ballot are major milestones on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, bringing fans one step closer to a spectacular celebration of cricket across the three nations. The ICC remains committed to making its World Cup events accessible to as many fans as possible, with affordable ticket prices and options that bring families, young people, and local communities closer to the action."
He added, "South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will provide an unforgettable stage for the world’s best teams, combining a deep passion for cricket, extraordinary destinations, and a renowned warmth of welcome. We look forward to welcoming fans from across the world and creating memories that will last long beyond the final."
Complete Schedule for ODI World Cup 2027
Super Series
Saturday, 2 October 2027 - QF1 vs QF3 - Windhoek
Monday, 4 October 2027 - QF1 vs QF2 - Windhoek
Wednesday, 6 October 2027 - QF2 vs QF3 - Windhoek
Group Stage
Thursday, 7 October 2027 - India vs Australia - Cape Town
Friday, 8 October 2027 - Pakistan vs Afghanistan - Tshwane
Friday, 8 October 2027 - England vs Bangladesh - Windhoek
Saturday, 9 October 2027 - Zimbabwe vs Qualifier A - Bulawayo
Saturday, 9 October 2027 - South Africa vs New Zealand - Cape Town
Sunday, 10 October 2027 - India vs Pakistan - Johannesburg
Sunday, 10 October 2027 - Sri Lanka vs Qualifier B - Windhoek
Monday, 11 October 2027 - Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - Bulawayo
Tuesday, 12 October 2027 - Australia vs Qualifier A - Paarl
Tuesday, 12 October 2027 - New Zealand vs Bangladesh - KuGompo City
Wednesday, 13 October 2027 - England vs Sri Lanka - Windhoek
Wednesday, 13 October 2027 - South Africa vs Qualifier B - Paarl
Thursday, 14 October 2027 - India vs Afghanistan - Tshwane
Friday, 15 October 2027 - Pakistan vs Qualifier A - Bloemfontein
Friday, 15 October 2027 - Zimbabwe vs Australia - Harare
Saturday, 16 October 2027 - Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Durban
Saturday, 16 October 2027 - South Africa vs England - Gqeberha
Sunday, 17 October 2027 - India vs Qualifier A - Bloemfontein
Sunday, 17 October 2027 - New Zealand vs Qualifier B - Harare
Monday, 18 October 2027 - Australia vs Afghanistan - KuGompo City
Tuesday, 19 October 2027 - Zimbabwe vs Pakistan - Harare
Tuesday, 19 October 2027 - South Africa vs Bangladesh - Durban
Wednesday, 20 October 2027 - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka - Johannesburg
Wednesday, 20 October 2027 - England vs Qualifier B - Harare
Thursday, 21 October 2027 - Afghanistan vs Qualifier A - KuGompo City
Friday, 22 October 2027 - Australia vs Pakistan - Paarl
Friday, 22 October 2027 - South Africa vs Sri Lanka - Johannesburg
Saturday, 23 October 2027 - England vs New Zealand - Gqeberha
Saturday, 23 October 2027 - Bangladesh vs Qualifier B - Tshwane
Sunday, 24 October 2027 - Zimbabwe vs India - Victoria Falls
Super 7 Stage
Monday, 25 October 2027 - A2 (Australia) vs B3 (Sri Lanka) - Johannesburg
Tuesday, 26 October 2027 - B1 (New Zealand) vs A3 (Pakistan) - Gqeberha
Wednesday, 27 October 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs AB4 (England) - Tshwane
Thursday, 28 October 2027 - A1 (India) vs A2 (Australia) - Victoria Falls
Friday, 29 October 2027 - B1 (New Zealand) vs B3 (Sri Lanka) - KuGompo City
Saturday, 30 October 2027 - A3 (Pakistan) vs AB4 (England) - Victoria Falls
Sunday, 31 October 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs A1 (India) - Johannesburg
Monday, 1 November 2027 - A2 (Australia) vs B1 (New Zealand) - Victoria Falls
Tuesday, 2 November 2027 - B3 (Sri Lanka) vs AB4 (England) - Cape Town
Wednesday, 3 November 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs A3 (Pakistan) - Durban
Thursday, 4 November 2027 - A1 (India) vs B1 (New Zealand) - Paarl
Friday, 5 November 2027 - A2 (Australia) vs AB4 (England) - Durban
Saturday, 6 November 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs B3 (Sri Lanka) - Bloemfontein
Sunday, 7 November 2027 - A1 (India) vs A3 (Pakistan) - Cape Town
Monday, 8 November 2027 - B1 (New Zealand) vs AB4 (England) - Durban
Tuesday, 9 November 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs A2 (Australia) - Gqeberha
Wednesday, 10 November 2027 - A3 (Pakistan) vs B3 (Sri Lanka) - Bloemfontein
Thursday, 11 November 2027 - A1 (India) vs AB4 (England) - Gqeberha
Friday, 12 November 2027 - B2 (South Africa) vs B1 (New Zealand) - Cape Town
Saturday, 13 November 2027 - A2 (Australia) vs A3 (Pakistan) - Bloemfontein
Sunday, 14 November 2027 - A1 (India) vs B3 (Sri Lanka) - Durban
Semi Finals
Wednesday, 17 November 2027 - Semi-Final 1 - Cape Town
Thursday, 18 November 2027 - Semi-Final 2 - Tshwane
Final
Sunday, 21 November 2027 - Final - Johannesburg.