ICC Unveils New ODI World Cup 2027 Format Featuring ‘Super Series’ and ‘Super 7’ Stage
The ICC has introduced a revamped format for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, replacing the traditional Super Six stage with new Super Series and Super 7 rounds.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced a new competition format for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The tournament will feature 14 teams and introduce two new stages—Super Series and Super 7—designed to increase competition and ensure every match has greater significance.
Under the revised structure, the tournament will be played in three stages, replacing the previous Super Six format. According to the ICC, the new system aims to make the World Cup more competitive while reducing the number of dead rubbers during the group stage.
Stage 1: Preliminary Round
The 14 participating teams will be divided based on rankings. The bottom three teams will compete in a Play-In Round, where they will play a round-robin format. The top team from this stage will qualify for the next round, while the remaining two teams will be eliminated.
Stage 2: Super Series
The remaining 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six. Each team will play against every other team in its group. At the end of this stage, the top three teams from each group will qualify for the next phase, while the bottom three teams will move into the placement stage.
Stage 3: Super 7
In the Super 7 stage, the six qualified teams will compete for semifinal spots. The team finishing first in the standings will face the fourth-placed team in one semifinal, while the second and third-placed teams will meet in the other semifinal. The winners will then advance to the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Final.
ICC officials said the revised format is intended to maintain excitement throughout the tournament by making every match crucial for qualification. Cricket experts believe the addition of the Super Series and Super 7 stages will increase competitiveness and provide more meaningful contests between the world’s leading teams.
The new format is expected to make the 2027 ODI World Cup one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history.
