For years, global cricket tournaments have struggled with a recurring challenge: expanding the sport’s global reach while avoiding lengthy group stages filled with predictable, low-stakes matches that often frustrate fans and broadcasters alike. At its annual meetings in Edinburgh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled its most significant structural overhaul yet to address this issue. The changes were announced on Wednesday, July 15.
Rejecting proposals to reduce the Men's ODI Cricket World Cup from 14 teams back to 12, the ICC Board has instead retained the expanded format while completely redesigning the tournament structure. Beginning with the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the competition will feature a new four-stage format, including a preliminary "Super Series" and an expanded "Super 7" phase.
At the same time, the 20-team Men's T20 World Cup will also undergo major changes from 2028, replacing the existing Super 8 stage with an expanded Super 10 format, complemented by IPL-style Eliminator playoffs.
The overarching aim is to ensure that every match throughout both tournaments carries meaningful consequences, significantly reducing the number of inconsequential fixtures.
1. ODI World Cup: Introduction of the Super 7
The previous 14-team format, last used in 2015, featured two groups of seven teams playing round-robin matches. While it offered every team ample opportunities, it often resulted in an extended group stage with several low-impact contests. The revamped format introduces greater urgency from the outset.
Round 1: Super Series
Rather than allowing all 14 teams to enter the main group stage, the three lowest-ranked qualifying teams (ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th) will first compete in a round-robin Super Series.
Only the team finishing first in this mini-league will qualify for the main tournament, while the other two teams will be eliminated before the group stage begins.
Round 2: Group Stage
The remaining 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six, playing a total of 30 matches.
Qualification will work as follows:
The top three teams from each group will automatically qualify.
The seventh and final qualifying spot will be awarded to the highest-ranked remaining team based on overall tournament performance across both groups, ensuring every match remains significant until the end.
Round 3: Super 7
Replacing the earlier Super Six format, the new Super 7 stage will feature all seven qualifying teams competing in a single round-robin league consisting of 21 matches.
The top four teams in the Super 7 standings will progress to the semi-finals.
KEY ODI WORLD CUP CHANGES
Preliminary Stage
Previous: No qualifying round; all teams entered the group stage directly.
New: The bottom three teams compete in a Super Series, with only the winner advancing.
Group Stage
Previous: Two groups of seven teams (42 matches).
New: Two groups of six teams (30 matches).
Second Round
Previous: Super Six format, featuring two groups of three teams (9 matches).
New: A single Super 7 round-robin league comprising 21 matches.
Knockout Qualification
Previous: The top two teams from each Super Six group advanced to the semi-finals.
New: The top four teams from the Super 7 standings qualify for the semi-finals.
2. T20 World Cup: IPL-Style Eliminators Introduced
The ICC has also significantly restructured the Men's T20 World Cup while retaining the 20-team format. The revised system aims to provide greater opportunities for emerging teams while making the latter stages more competitive.
A Shorter Group Stage
Previously, the tournament began with four groups of five teams, producing 40 group-stage matches where stronger teams often progressed comfortably.
Under the new format, the 20 teams will instead be divided into five groups of four, reducing the opening phase to 30 matches.
The top two teams from each group will advance, making qualification considerably more competitive due to the smaller group size.
Expansion to Super 10
Instead of narrowing the competition to a Super 8 stage, the tournament will now feature a Super 10 round, consisting of two groups of five teams.
This format guarantees additional opportunities for associate and emerging nations to face leading international teams during the latter stages of the tournament.
IPL-Style Eliminator Playoffs
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of crossover Eliminator matches.
Under the previous format, the top two teams from each Super 8 group advanced directly to the semi-finals.
Under the new system:
The team finishing first in each Super 10 group qualifies directly for the semi-finals.
The second-placed team from Group A will play the third-placed team from Group B in an Eliminator.
The second-placed team from Group B will face the third-placed team from Group A in another Eliminator.
The winners of these two knockout matches will secure the remaining semi-final spots.
By introducing high-pressure qualification rounds such as the ODI Super Series and playoff-based progression in the T20 World Cup, the ICC aims to ensure that every stage of both tournaments carries genuine competitive significance.
For players, the revamped formats promise a more demanding and intense competition. For fans, they are designed to eliminate dead rubbers and deliver meaningful, high-stakes cricket from the opening match through to the final.
