The countdown to the 2027 ODI World Cup begins in earnest today, with the ICC unveiling the full schedule at a launch event in Cape Town. Here is everything we know.

**When and where.** The tournament runs from October 2 to November 21, 2027, across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia — the first ODI World Cup on African soil in 23 years. Today’s launch at the Zeitz MOCAA museum airs in India at 8:30 pm IST on JioHotstar and Star Sports.

**The format.** Fourteen teams, 57 matches, 12 venues. Ten teams have qualified directly: hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, plus India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Four more come through a global qualifier early next year — two-time champions West Indies must go through it, and even co-hosts Namibia have no automatic berth.

**Tickets.** The global ballot opens today and runs till November 21, 2026. Fans can request up to four tickets per match, with a randomised draw where demand exceeds supply.

**The storyline.** For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have indicated this will be their last World Cup, it is a final shot at 50-over glory. Australia arrive as defending champions.