By Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau)
The 12 host cities and official brand identity for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 were officially unveiled on Thursday during a grand event in Johannesburg, South Africa. This marks the return of the flagship 50-over World Cup to the African continent after 24 years, following the 2003 edition. The tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Inspired by the traditional African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’- which translates to ‘I am because we are’- the core theme of the tournament has been established as ‘Make the Circle Bigger’. The official logo and brand concept draw design inspiration from the traditional handcrafted African woven basket (African Bowl), symbolizing unity, rich diversity, and hospitality, while inviting cricket fans from across the globe to join the celebration.
The 57-match tournament will take place across 12 venues in the three host nations:
* South Africa (8 Venues): Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), and Buffalo Park (Ku-Gompo City).
* Zimbabwe (3 Venues): Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo), and the newly built Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls).
* Namibia (1 Venue): Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek—marking the country’s historic debut as a Cricket World Cup host.
Speaking at the launch, ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the tournament’s return to Africa as a historic milestone for global cricket. ‘This is a momentous step on the road to 2027. We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable tournament,’ he stated.
ICC Chief Executive emphasized that the World Cup represents not only the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket, but also an opportunity to showcase Africa’s vibrant culture, diversity, and passion for sport. Meanwhile, Kondisa Ngwenya, CEO of the Local Organising Committee, noted that the core vision is to inspire a new generation and broaden cricket’s global footprint.
The launch event was attended by prominent cricketing figures, including former South African captains Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, and Hashim Amla, alongside current stars Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, as well as Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and Namibia’s Rudolph Janse van Vuuren.
The 14th edition of the Men’s ODI World Cup will feature a revised competition format featuring 14 teams. Prior to the main group stage, a “Super Series” will be played among the three lowest-ranked teams (ranked 12th to 14th) to determine one final spot. The 12 main teams will then be split into two groups for a round-robin stage. The top three teams from each group, along with the next best team across both groups, will advance to a seven-team ‘Super Seven’ stage. Following 21 matches in this round, the top four teams will progress to the semifinals, culminating in the grand final.
Maksuda Lisa: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.