ICC names 12 venues for 2027 ODI World Cup, iconic Victoria Falls included

Eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia will host the matches of the 2027 ODI World Cup. A landmark new international stadium near one of the natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, will also host matches.Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will be part of India's campaign in 2027 ODI World Cup (Getty Images)The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the 12 host venues and brand identity for the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup, marking the tournament's return to the African continent for the first time in 24 years.Co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia across October and November 2027, the marquee 50-over event will feature 14 nations competing across some of Southern Africa's most historic grounds, alongside a landmark new international stadium near one of the natural wonders of the world.Sitting at the heart of the venue announcement is the newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The iconic destination headlines a trio of Zimbabwean grounds alongside Harare Sports Club and Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club.South Africa will carry the bulk of the fixture list across eight venues: Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), SuperSport Park (Centurion), Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George's Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City / East London). Namibia's capital, Windhoek, completes the roster at the Namibia Cricket Ground. MAKE THE CIRCLE BIGGERUnveiled at the Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg with current stars and regional legends – including Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza, and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren – the event introduced the tournament tagline "Make the Circle Bigger", anchored in the African philosophy of Ubuntu ("I am, because we are").The brand design takes inspiration from traditional circular African woven wire bowls, incorporating a vibrant regional palette featuring shades named Zimbabwe Chilli, Namib Dune, Harare Dawn, and Two Oceans. "The return of this prestigious tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket," said ICC Chairman Jay Shah. "We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable event, showcasing the warmth, passion, and rich diversity that make this region truly unique."ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta added that the event will celebrate a continent defined by extraordinary people, vibrant cultures, and a deep love for sport.The glittering brand launch comes just weeks after the ICC faced intense scrutiny over its newly finalised tournament format.Although expanded to 14 teams, the 57-match tournament introduces a controversial three-stage structure: a three-team "Super Series" for the lowest-ranked qualifiers, followed by a 30-match group stage (two groups of six), a 21-match Super Seven round, and the final knockouts.The revised structure sparked immediate backlash from the World Cricketers' Association (WCA) and Associate captains – including Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards, Scotland's Richie Berrington, and co-host Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus – who accused the governing body of placing unfair extra hurdles in front of emerging nations.Simultaneously, elite teams voiced concern over physical demands, with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald publicly calling for expanded 17-player squads to manage player attrition, pointing out that the winning side could be forced to play up to 15 matches under the new framework.- EndsPublished By: Akshay RameshPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 23:36 IST