ICC Approves New Formats for Men's ODI and T20 World Cups with 'Super 7' and 'Super 10' Stages
In July 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved major format changes to the ICC Men's ODI World Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup during its annual Board meetings held in Edinburgh, Scotland. New ODI World Cup format (from 2027): A four-stage format comprising — 1. A Preliminary Round featuring the 12th- to 14th-ranked teams, 2. Two groups of six teams, 3. A Super 7 stage replacing the Super Six, and 4. The knockout stage. The top three teams from each group plus the best fourth-placed team advance. Total matches increase from 48 to 57. The tournament remains a 14-team event. New T20 World Cup format: The 20-team event will begin with five groups of four teams, followed by a Super 10 stage replacing the Super 8, with the top two from each group advancing and Eliminators determining the remaining semi-finalists. The second stage thus expands from 8 to 10 teams. Purpose: To enhance competitiveness and reduce dead-rubber matches.
ICC founded: 1909 (as Imperial Cricket Conference); HQ: Dubai, UAE | ICC Chairman: Jay Shah | First Cricket World Cup: 1975, won by West Indies | First T20 World Cup: 2007, won by India | India won ODI World Cups in 1983 and 2011
The ICC approved new World Cup formats at its Edinburgh Board meetings — a Super 7 stage in the 14-team ODI World Cup from 2027 and a Super 10 stage with Eliminators in the 20-team T20 World Cup. • The ODI World Cup will expand from 48 to 57 matches across four stages, while the T20 World Cup's second stage grows from 8 to 10 teams.
