The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 has attracted more than 1.5 crore ticket applications within 12 days of its ballot opening, highlighting the global interest in the tournament that will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The International Cricket Council announced on Tuesday that it had received 15,083,752 ticket applications through 4,423,417 ballot registrations from fans across 142 countries. The ballot opened on October 1, alongside the announcement of the tournament schedule.
The United Kingdom, South Africa, India, the United States and Australia are among the leading sources of demand, according to the ICC. Applications have risen sharply since the ballot crossed the one-million mark in its opening days.
The tournament, scheduled from October 2 to November 21, 2027, will mark the men’s ODI World Cup’s return to African soil after 24 years. The 14-team competition will feature 57 matches across 12 venues in the three host nations.
How the ticket ballot works
Fans can register for multiple matches, with each fixture treated as a separate entry. Registration is free, and applications are not processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Where demand exceeds the available allocation, a randomised ballot will determine which applicants receive the opportunity to purchase tickets.
The ballot will remain open until 11.59 pm Central Africa Time on November 21, 2026, which is 3.29 am IST on November 22. Successful applicants will be informed by email and given a designated window to complete their purchases. Entering the ballot does not guarantee tickets.
A new format for the 2027 World Cup
The next edition will introduce a three-stage format. The teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th in qualification will compete in a round-robin Super Series, with only the winner advancing to the main competition.
That team will join the other 11 qualified sides in the second stage, which will feature two groups of six. The top three teams from each group, along with the next best-placed team across the two groups, will progress to the Super 7 stage. The top four sides in that phase will qualify for the semi-finals.
Australia will enter the tournament as defending champions after beating India by six wickets in the 2023 final in Ahmedabad. The 2027 edition will offer Australia an opportunity to pursue a seventh men’s ODI World Cup title, while the three host nations prepare to welcome cricket fans from around the world.
