Wanderers to host 2027 men’s ODI World Cup final as well as India vs Pakistan

The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, will host the 2027 ODI World Cup final, a venue it previously used in 2003. Additionally, the stadium will be the site of the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan on October 10. Wanderers, South Africa's largest ground with a capacity exceeding 30,000, was chosen over Newlands in Cape Town, noted for its scenic mountain backdrop.

Newlands will, however, host the opening match between India and defending champions Australia on October 7. This sets the stage for the group stage of the 14th edition of the tournament, with the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek scheduled to host the Super Series, a three-team preliminary round determining the entrant into the main event.

Newlands will also host a semi-final match on November 17, while the final showdown will take place at SuperSport Park in Tshwane (Centurion) on November 18. Zimbabwe, the co-hosts for the World Cup, will play all their group stage matches at home. The tournament, spanning from October 2 to November 21, features 12 teams divided into two groups of six.

Afghanistan, Australia, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and one more qualifier make up Group A, while Bangladesh, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the other qualifier comprise Group B. The final eight teams, alongside the co-hosts, have automatic qualification to the World Cup. The semi-finals and final will both have a reserve day.

South Africa, the co-host in Group B, opens their campaign against New Zealand on October 9 at Newlands, a re-match of the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final. Zimbabwe, the co-host in Group A, begins their journey on October 11 by facing Afghanistan in Bulawayo. The top three teams from each group advance to the Super 7 phase, with the fourth-place finisher from either group securing the seventh spot.

Some teams have already designated spots in the Super 7 phase, and there is a possibility of another India vs Pakistan game in Cape Town on November 7. The co-hosts in Namibia, Windhoek, will host three group games, including two involving the 2019 champions England. The newly built Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, will host the final group stage match between India and Zimbabwe on October 24, along with three Super 7 matches.

Durban will host five matches, including the final Super 7 match between India and Sri Lanka on November 14. In total, there will be 12 venues for the tournament, spread across Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.