DUBAI, UAE: The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 has attracted more than 15 million ticket applications within just 12 days of the ballot opening, highlighting the tournament’s global appeal ahead of its return to Africa after 24 years.
𝟏𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 🤩🎫
Ticket demand for #CWC27 keeps soaring in the ballot 📈
More details ➡️ https://t.co/G25YeDYMNc https://t.co/YaQ0NOvEWC
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 13, 2026
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), a total of 15,083,752 ticket applications have been received, with 4,423,417 ballot registrations from fans in 142 countries. Demand has accelerated sharply, rising from one million applications last week to more than 15 million in less than a fortnight.
Africa to host World Cup after 24 years
The 14th edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, marking the Cricket World Cup’s return to the African continent for the first time in 24 years. Organisers expect the expanded event to become the biggest edition in the competition’s history.
The #CWC27 groups are locked ⚡🔐
A cricketing extravaganza awaits! How to watch the schedule launch ➡️ https://t.co/Eod5GoN7zW https://t.co/oVg7zVHLNF
— ICC (@ICC) October 1, 2026
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said the overwhelming demand reflected the stature of the Cricket World Cup, the appeal of Africa as a destination and promotional activities conducted ahead of the tournament.
He added that the ICC had planned a year-long programme of promotional activities, multi-platform campaigns and digital content to build excitement and engage fans ahead of the event.
The ticket ballot will remain open until 11:59pm Central Africa Time on November 21, 2026, exactly one year before the final is scheduled to be played at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium.
Registration is free, and fans are not required to make any payment when applying. Each person can submit one ballot entry per match and may apply for tickets to multiple fixtures.
The ballot is not conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, so registering earlier does not increase an applicant’s chances of success. Where demand exceeds the available allocation for a match, tickets will be allocated through a randomised selection process.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email, while those selected will receive further instructions on purchasing tickets.
Pakistan to face India on October 10
The ICC has also announced the complete schedule for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with arch-rivals Pakistan and India set to meet in Johannesburg on October 10.
Read Also: India-Pakistan Clash Leads Huge Demand as World Cup 2027 Ticket Ballot Tops 1.1 Million Applications
The 14-team tournament will begin on October 2 with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek, Namibia. The three teams emerging from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier will compete in a round-robin format, with matches scheduled for October 2, 4 and 6 at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
The top two sides will advance to the main tournament, featuring 12 teams divided into two groups.
Read Also: Pakistan and India Could Meet Up to Three Times in 2027 World Cup
Defending champions Australia, Pakistan and India have been placed in Group A alongside Afghanistan, co-hosts Zimbabwe and Qualifier A. Group B comprises Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, co-hosts South Africa and Qualifier B.
The main round will begin on October 7 in Cape Town, where Australia will face India in a rematch of the previous edition’s final.
Pakistan, the 1992 world champions, will launch their campaign against Afghanistan on October 8 before facing India two days later in one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
The Green Shirts will then play Qualifier A on October 15, followed by matches against co-hosts Zimbabwe on October 19 and defending champions Australia on October 22.
