JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Zimbabwe will host three matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and a newly constructed stadium in Victoria Falls, organisers confirmed on Thursday as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly unveiled the tournament’s host cities and brand identity.
The launch, held at the Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg, marked the tournament’s return to Africa for the first time in 24 years, with the three nations set to co-host the event in October and November 2027.
Zimbabwe’s new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls joins Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club among the 12 confirmed venues, alongside eight grounds in South Africa and one in Namibia, Windhoek’s Namibia Cricket Ground.
Former Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza represented the country at the launch, alongside South African greats Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, and Namibia’s Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, under the tournament theme “Three Nations, One Heartbeat.”
The tournament brand, titled “Make the Circle Bigger,” is built around the image of the African woven bowl, historically used across Southern Africa to present harvests and gifts.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. The unveiling of the host cities and the tournament brand signals the start 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 tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket. 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,” he added.
Local Organising Committee chairman Trevor Manuel said: “Today is far more than the unveiling of a tournament brand and host cities; it is the moment Africa begins its invitation to the world.”
LOC chief executive Qondisa Ngwenya said “Make the Circle Bigger” is “a powerful expression of our ambition to inspire new generations, bring more people into the game and create an event that is inclusive, vibrant and unmistakably African.”
The 2027 edition will introduce a new three-stage format comprising 57 matches: a Super Series playoff involving the three lowest-ranked qualifying teams, a 30-match group stage of 12 teams split into two pools, and a Super Seven round-robin stage from which the top four sides advance to the semi-finals.
