ICC Unveils 2027 ODI World Cup Schedule with India-Australia Blockbuster Opener

The International Cricket Council has officially released the schedule for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament begins on October 2, 2027 with a qualifying Super Series, before the main group stage launches on October 7 with a blockbuster: India against reigning champions Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.

The 14-team event will feature 57 matches across 11 venues, split into two groups of seven. Group A brings together India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifier, while Group B contains New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and the second qualifier.

The final is set for November 21, 2027 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. With the tournament returning to African soil and a qualifying pathway built into the format, the 2027 edition promises a genuinely global contest — and the India-Australia opener could hardly be a bigger curtain-raiser.