From the Springboks defending their Rugby World Cup crown to the Proteas chasing cricket’s ultimate prize on home soil, 2027 promises to be a blockbuster year for sports fans.
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South African supporters have plenty to look forward to, with two of the country’s biggest sporting teams targeting world glory, while Bafana Bafana will hope to make their mark at the Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.
Elsewhere, the FIFA Women’s World Cup heads to Brazil, the world’s best athletes descend on Beijing, and golf’s greatest rivalry celebrates its centenary in Ireland.
Throw in another thrilling Formula 1 season, the UEFA Champions League, the Ashes and the biggest events in tennis, and 2027 is shaping up to be a spectacular sporting year.
Here are the major events worth marking on your calendar.
SA20 – 17 January To 21 February
South Africa’s premier T20 cricket competition returns for its fifth season in January, promising another thrilling spectacle featuring some of the world’s biggest cricket stars.
The six franchises – Sunrisers Eastern Cape, MI Cape Town, Pretoria Capitals, Paarl Royals, Joburg Super Kings and Durban’s Super Giants- will battle for supremacy across 34 matches at six iconic venues.
Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape begin their title defence against Pretoria Capitals in a repeat of the 2026 final at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, 17 January.
With explosive batting, world-class bowling and electric atmospheres, the SA20 has established itself as one of the highlights of South Africa’s sporting calendar.
The tournament concludes with the final at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday, 21 February, where one team will be crowned the 2027 champions.
Africa Cup Of Nations – 19 June To 17 July
African football takes centre stage when Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
It will be the first time three countries have co-hosted the continental showpiece, with East Africa preparing to welcome the continent’s biggest football stars.
Bafana Bafana will be hoping to build on their recent progress and challenge for their first AFCON title since 1996, although they must first secure qualification.
With traditional powerhouses such as Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast expected to be among the contenders, another fiercely contested tournament awaits.
FIFA Women’s World Cup – 24 June To 25 July
Brazil will become the first South American nation to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup when the tournament kicks off in June.
The 10th edition will feature 32 nations competing for the biggest prize in women’s football, with defending champions Spain expected to face strong competition from traditional heavyweights such as the United States, Germany and England.
For South African supporters, the tournament also offers the prospect of seeing Banyana Banyana compete on the world stage again, provided they qualify.
The combination of Brazil’s football culture and the continued growth of the women’s game promises to make this one of the year’s standout events.
Netball World Cup – 25 August To 5 September
The world’s best netball nations will descend on Sydney, Australia, for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
For the Spar Proteas, the tournament represents another opportunity to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses, including Australia, New Zealand, England and Jamaica.
South Africa will be determined to make an impression after hosting the 2023 tournament in Cape Town, with the national team continuing its pursuit of a breakthrough on the global stage.
With Australia expected to be among the favourites on home soil, the competition promises high-intensity action and plenty of drama.
World Athletics Championships – 10 To 19 September
Beijing will welcome the world’s finest track-and-field athletes for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, returning to the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium for the first time since 2015.
The 100m and 200m sprints will attract enormous attention, while the distance races, relays and field events will provide opportunities for established champions and rising stars to shine.
South African athletics fans will be hoping the country’s leading sprinters, jumpers and middle-distance runners can challenge for medals.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching, Beijing will also provide an important indication of which athletes could dominate the next Olympic cycle.
Ryder Cup – 17 To 19 September
One of golf’s greatest rivalries celebrates a historic milestone when Europe and the United States meet at Adare Manor in Ireland for the centenary edition of the Ryder Cup.
The biennial competition is famous for its passionate crowds, intense match-play battles and unforgettable moments, with national and continental pride taking precedence over individual glory.
Europe will enjoy home advantage as they attempt to overcome another star-studded American team.
With 100 years of Ryder Cup history being celebrated, the 2027 edition promises to be particularly special.
Rugby World Cup – 1 October To 13 November
For South African sports fans, this could be the biggest event of 2027.
The Springboks will travel to Australia chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Rugby World Cup title after their historic triumphs in Japan in 2019 and France in 2023.
The defending champions begin their campaign against Italy in Adelaide on 3 October before facing further pool-stage challenges, including Romania.
The tournament will also break new ground, expanding from 20 to 24 teams for the first time and introducing a round of 16.
With New Zealand, France, Ireland, England and hosts Australia among the nations hoping to dethrone the Springboks, the competition promises six weeks of gripping rugby.
The final takes place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 13 November, where South Africa will hope to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fifth time.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – 2 October To 21 November
The Proteas will have a golden opportunity to end their long wait for a maiden men’s Cricket World Cup title when South Africa co-hosts the 2027 tournament alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia.
For the first time since 2003, the 50-over showpiece returns to South African soil, with the hosts hoping home advantage can inspire a historic triumph.
South Africa open their campaign against New Zealand in Cape Town on 9 October before facing England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the group stage.
The tournament will feature 14 teams, with the leading nations progressing to a Super 7 phase before the semi-finals.
The final will take place in Johannesburg on 21 November, and the possibility of the Proteas lifting the trophy in front of their home supporters is one of the most exciting sporting prospects of the year.
With the Cricket World Cup overlapping the Rugby World Cup, October and November promise to be extraordinary months for South African sports fans.
Other Major Sporting Events In 2027
Beyond the global championships, several annual sporting spectacles will also command attention.
| Event | Date | Venue |
| Australian Open | January | Melbourne, Australia |
| Super Bowl LXI | 14 February | California, USA |
| UEFA Champions League Final | 5 June | Madrid, Spain |
| Monaco Grand Prix | 4-6 June | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
| The Ashes | June-August | England |
| Wimbledon Championships | June-July | London, England |
| Tour de France | 2-25 July | France |
| FIBA Basketball World Cup | 27 August-12 September | Qatar |
A Blockbuster Year For South African Sport
While 2027 promises unforgettable sporting moments across the globe, South African supporters have particularly good reason to be excited.
The Springboks will attempt to make rugby history with a third consecutive World Cup triumph, while the Proteas will be determined to finally conquer the 50-over cricket world on home soil.
Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana could also have opportunities to shine on the international stage, while the Spar Proteas will be hoping to make their mark at the Netball World Cup.
With two major World Cups taking place simultaneously towards the end of the year, October and November could deliver one of the most memorable periods in South African sporting history.
For fans around the world, 2027 is shaping up to be a year not to be missed.
Lwanele is the Content Manager for BetJets News and has dedicated six years to creating top-notch sports betting content for major bookmakers, establishing himself as a trusted source for betting advice. As the resident tipster for TAB’s popular TV show Racing Today, he specialises in cricket, MMA, and soccer betting. Known for his keen analysis and practical tips, Lwanele provides BetJets readers with the tools they need to approach betting with confidence and strategy.
