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The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are expected to officially reveal the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 schedule on October 1, 2026, at a special event in Cape Town.
The announcement will come almost exactly one year before the mega event begins in Africa. In another big development, the opening matches of Boland’s Pro20 Cup will be played without fans. Earlier, South Africa head coach breaks silence on Temba Bavuma-Quinton de Kock fight.
ICC ODI World Cup 2027 schedule to be announced on October 1 in Cape Town
As reported by a Times of India journalist, Gaurav Gupta, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are likely to announce the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 schedule on October 1 at an event in Cape Town, South Africa.
The tournament is provisionally scheduled to take place from October 4 to November 21, 2027, with three African nations—South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia—joining hands to host the mega event.
South Africa is scheduled to host 44 matches, while Zimbabwe will stage 10 games. Namibia will also host at least three matches at the Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek.
10 teams set for direct entry
ICC ODI World Cup 2027 is a bigger version of the 50-over World Cup featuring 14 teams. The official cutoff date for direct qualification is September 30, 2026.
The top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings and the hosts will qualify automatically for the tournament. The 10 teams expected to be confirmed for direct entry are South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify as co-hosts, while the remaining teams will secure their places through the ODI rankings and qualification rules.
ICC and CSA are likely to announce the 2027 World Cup schedule on October 1 at an event in Cape Town, almost exactly one year before the tournament.
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) September 28, 2026
10 teams will be confirmed by the September 30 qualification cutoff! @ICC @OfficialProteas
West Indies and Ireland face World Cup Qualifiers
The remaining four spots will be decided through the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The global qualifying tournament is scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 23, 2027. Amid this, Mohammad Yousuf credits MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid for India’s rise, takes dig at Pakistan.
The two-time champions West Indies and Ireland will have to compete in the qualifiers to book their places in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The teams will need to finish among the four successful sides to join the 10 directly qualified nations in the final tournament.
Pro20 Cup matches hit by stadium upgrades in Boland
Meanwhile, Boland’s opening Pro20 Cup matches will be played without spectators as Boland Park in Paarl undergoes facility upgrades. Boland will host the Knights this week before facing the Easterns next week. Fans are expected to return once the stadium work is completed.
Cricket Boland and Cricket South Africa said the upgrades are aimed at improving facilities, accessibility, and the overall fan experience. The matches at Boland Park will also not be part of the Pro20 Cup’s ‘Catch Your Share’ competition.
The official statement reads, "Cricket Boland and Cricket South Africa confirm that matches at Boland Park will be played without spectators while the stadium undergoes facility upgrades,” read Monday’s statement from Boland. As a result, fixtures hosted at Boland Park will not qualify for the ‘Catch Your Share’ competition linked to the Pro20 Cup.”
It further reads, “These upgrades are part of a long-term plan to deliver an enhanced fan experience, with improved facilities, accessibility, and engagement opportunities once the venue reopens fully to fans. While it is disappointing to step back from the competition, our focus is on creating a stadium experience that excites fans and sets new standards for domestic cricket.
The improvements underway will ensure Boland Park is ready to welcome supporters back in a bigger and better way. Cricket Boland thanks fans for their understanding and looks forward to unveiling the upgraded stadium.”
