India will begin their 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia in Cape Town on 7 October 2027, the ICC confirmed on 1 October 2026 alongside the release of the full tournament schedule. The two-time champions face an immediate rematch of the 2023 World Cup final — a loss India suffered in Ahmedabad — as their very first assignment in the 14-team mega event co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

India's Group A Schedule at a Glance

Just three days after the Australia opener, Shubman Gill and his side face arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter at the iconic Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 10 October. The first two fixtures alone make India's group stage among the most watched opening weeks in World Cup history.

India then travel to Centurion (Tshwane) to face Afghanistan on 14 October, before heading to Bloemfontein for their fourth group game against Qualifier A on 17 October. They wrap up Group A duties against co-hosts Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls on 24 October. India carry the top seeding in the group as A1, with Australia as A2, Pakistan as A3, and England as A4.

Tournament Format and Structure

The 2027 edition introduces a modified four-stage structure. The tournament officially opens on 2 October with a pre-tournament 'Super Series' qualifier stage in Windhoek, featuring the teams ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th. The winner of that qualifier joins the other 13 teams in the group stage, split into two groups of six.

The top three sides from each group, plus the next best-ranked team overall, advance to a seven-team 'Super 7' round-robin phase beginning 25 October. The top four from the Super 7 stage reach the semi-finals. The first semi-final is set for 17 November in Cape Town, the second semi-final on 18 November in Centurion, and the final on 21 November in Johannesburg. All three knockout fixtures have a reserve day.

Group B comprises co-hosts South Africa, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Qualifier B. South Africa open their campaign on 9 October against New Zealand in Cape Town, while Zimbabwe begin on 11 October against Afghanistan in Bulawayo.

India-Pakistan Super 7 Rematch Possible

Should both India and Pakistan advance from Group A to the Super 7 stage, a second meeting is already scheduled for 7 November at Newlands in Cape Town. Similarly, a potential second India-Australia Super 7 clash is slated for 28 October at the newly developed Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. These pre-set Super 7 fixtures are built into the ICC's seeding framework to preserve scheduling certainty for broadcasters and fans.

Tickets, Venues, and Accessibility

Alongside the schedule, the ICC opened its official ticket ballot on 1 October, running through 21 November. The process is free and non-first-come-first-served, designed to give global fans an equitable shot at seats. Entry-level match tickets are priced from USD 9.62 (R158), with top-tier fixtures capped at USD 31.31 (R514). Organisers have also introduced family bundles, student and pensioner discounts, early-bird local allocations, and group pricing for community clubs and schools.

The tournament spans 57 matches across 12 venues. South Africa hosts the bulk — 8 grounds including Wanderers Stadium, Centurion, Newlands, Kingsmead, St George's Park, Mangaung Oval, Boland Park, and Buffalo Park. Zimbabwe's three venues are Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and the newly developed Victoria Falls stadium. Namibia hosts at the newly built Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the schedule release and ticket ballot as 'major milestones on the road to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, bringing fans one step closer to a spectacular celebration of cricket across the three nations.' He added that the ICC remains committed to 'affordable ticket prices and options that bring families, young people and local communities closer to the action.'

This will be the first time Africa has hosted the flagship men's ODI event since 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya served as co-hosts for the eighth edition. All 10 direct qualifiers — including both hosts, India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — have already secured their berths based on ICC rankings.