Global cricket fans invited to enter ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 ticket ballot

The International Cricket Council has launched the ticket ballot for its 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup, opening registration to supporters around the world from October 1, 2026. The entry window remains open until November 21, 2026, giving fans nearly seven weeks to submit their applications.

The ballot launch coincided with the official match schedule announcement, which was unveiled at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town. The 14th edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, bringing the Men's Cricket World Cup back to African soil for the first time in 23 years.

The tournament runs from October 4 to November 21, 2027, with 14 nations competing across 12 venues in a total of 57 matches. The three-nation hosting arrangement represents the broadest geographical spread the Men's Cricket World Cup has seen on the African continent.

How does the CWC 2027 ticket ballot work?

Entry to the ballot carries no cost and operates outside a first-come, first-served model. Every valid application received between October 1 and November 21, 2026 is weighted equally, meaning a fan who registers on the final day stands the same chance as one who entered on the very first.

Supporters may apply for tickets to more than one fixture, with each match handled as a distinct ballot entry. Per match, applicants can request a maximum of four tickets and choose their preferred seating category at the time of submission.

When the number of applications for a given fixture outstrips the seats available, a randomised draw decides which entrants move forward to purchase. Those selected will receive an email notification along with a defined timeframe to complete the transaction. Submitting an entry does not secure tickets; it only qualifies a fan to buy if drawn successfully.

The ballot covers fixtures scheduled across all three host nations and is accessible to supporters regardless of where they are based in the world, making it a genuinely global opportunity for cricket fans.

Why does CWC 2027 matter for cricket in Africa?

Hosting the tournament across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia marks a significant chapter for the sport on the continent. The last time a Men's Cricket World Cup was staged on African soil was 23 years before this edition, and the return of the event underlines the ICC's commitment to expanding the game's footprint across the region.

The scale of the event reinforces that significance. Fourteen teams will contest 57 matches at 12 venues spread across the three countries, with the tournament window stretching from October 4 to November 21, 2027. The schedule was formally unveiled at the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, a venue chosen to reflect the cultural and creative identity of the host region.

Fans targeting specific fixtures have the full ballot period — from October 1 to November 21, 2026 — to plan and register their interest. With demand expected to be high across marquee matches, the equal-weighting system ensures that supporters from every corner of the globe have a fair opportunity to attend one of cricket's premier events.