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Africa hosts World Cup after 24 years, ICC announces 12 venues for 2027 ODI World Cup | Cricket News

waseemmehar2026@gmail.com15 hours ago04 mins

The International Chamber of Commerce has announced the 12 venues for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Africa will host the World Cup again after 24 years.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday officially announced the 12 host venues for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, confirming that cities in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the 50-over event when it returns to Africa for the first time in 24 years.The news was announced at a grand ceremony in Johannesburg, where the International Cricket Federation 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-organizers.The 14th World Cup will have 57 games and 14 teams participating. The host cities will be 8 cities in South Africa, 3 cities in Zimbabwe and the capital of Namibia, Windhoek.The tournament is Africa’s first men’s ODI World Cup since 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya jointly hosted it.

‘A landmark moment for cricket’

President of the International Chamber of Commerce Jay Shah Describing the venue announcement as a major milestone on the road to the global championship.He said: “This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The reveal of the host city and tournament brand marks the beginning of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of the sport’s biggest global events.”Shah also stressed 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 host an unforgettable event that showcases the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make the region truly unique,” he added.International Cricket Federation chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the event would celebrate cricket and the unique status of the African 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 this pinnacle event to Africa after more than two decades and will celebrate a continent defined by outstanding personalities, vibrant culture, amazing experiences and a love of sport.”Gupta added that the event’s vibrant brand reflects the energy of the host country while inspiring future generations of fans.

“Ubuntu” concept and new tournament format

The 2027 edition will be built around the African philosophy “Ubuntu” (“I am because we are”) and the event theme “Making the Circle Wider”, celebrating compassion, solidarity and cultural diversity in the region’s 29 officially recognized languages.The tournament logo is inspired by traditional African tinsel bowls and features shades including Zimbabwe Chili, African Roots, Fynbos Pop, Namib Dunes, Harare Dawn and Two Oceans.The 2027 competition will feature a three-stage format. It will feature 57 games and a three-stage format designed to increase competitiveness. Teams ranked 12th to 14th will compete in the Super Series first, with the winner advancing to the main draw. In the next stage, 12 teams will be divided into two groups of 6 teams, and each group will play a round-robin match. The top three teams in each group and the fourth-best team will qualify for the Super Seven. After 21 Super 7 games, the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals to determine the champion.The launch ceremony was attended by several cricket superstars including Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza and Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, as people began to look forward to the return of cricket’s biggest 50-match series to the African soil.