ICC adds spice to 2027 ODI World Cup with introduction of 'Super Series' and 'Super Seven' rounds

The International Cricket Council (ICC0 has revamped the structure of the ODI World Cup ahead of the 2027 edition to be jointly hosted by Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The marquee tournament will be a 14-team event, with the introduction of a 'Super Series' round prior to the group stages. 

The Super Series round will culminate with the elimination of two teams, leaving 12 teams in the fray, which will be further divided into two groups of six each in the next round. The top three teams from both groups and the next highest placed team across both groups will then advance to a 'Super Seven' round. It will be a round-robin stage consisting of 21 matches, and the top four teams in this stage will progress directly to the semifinals. The winners of the two semifinals will then contest the final.

The apex governing body has announced these changes to create a "greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event, ensuring meaningful competition from the opening match through to the Finals."

The changes were finalised during the ICC's Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh, held over the weekend.

"The structure has been designed to strengthen the competitive narrative across every stage of the event, with matches from Round 1 and Round 2 carrying higher consequence with a highly competitive Super 7 stage witnessing 7 qualifying teams going through a round-robin stage to qualify for the semi-finals," read a media release from the ICC. 

"The increased consequence and enhanced competitive intensity promises to enhance the overall experience for fans while continuing to provide emerging teams with the opportunity to compete on cricket's biggest stage."

Complete breakdown of the ODI World Cup 2027 revamped format

• Round 1: Teams ranked 12, 13, 14 play a round‑robin “Super Series”
• Top team progresses to Round 2
• Round 2: Two groups of 6  (30 matches)
• Top 3 teams from each group + next highest placed team across both groups qualify for "Super Seven"
• Round 3 (Super 7): Round‑robin (21 matches)
• Top 4 teams from Super Seven progress to semifinals
• Semifinals: 2 matches (1 vs 4 & 2 vs 3)
• Final: 1 match

Notably, this is not the first time the ICC has tinkered with the ODI World Cup format. The 2011 and 2015 editions witnessed the participation of 14 teams, which were divided into two groups of seven each, and the top four from each group advanced to the quarterfinals.

On the contrary, the last two editions (2019 and 2023) saw a round-robin stage involving all 10 participants, with the top four teams moving directly into the semis.

Changes made to the format of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Gratified with the performances of the Associate teams, the ICC has decided to revamp the format of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028, to encourage their advancement into the latter stages of the tournament.

Instead of having four groups of five teams each, the upcoming edition will have five groups featuring four teams. The top two teams from each group will progress into the next round, known as "Super 10", unlike "Super Eights", which was there in the 2026 edition. 

The top two outfits from the Super 10 stage will then advance directly into the semis. However, the second- and third-placed teams in each group will have to engage in two cross-group 'eliminator' matches. The winners of both matches will progress to the semifinals.

Group Stage

• 5 groups of 4 teams each
• 30 matches in total
• Two teams from each group progress

Super 10

• Two groups of 5 teams each
• 20 matches in total
• Top team in each group secures a direct spot in the semifinals
• Second-placed teams in groups play Eliminator against teams placed third in the opposite group

Eliminator

• 2 matches

Semifinals

• 2 matches (winners of the Eliminators join the group toppers)

Final

• 1 match to decide the champion