Newlands

About the ground

Few cricket grounds anywhere can match Newlands for setting. Tucked into the leafy Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, the ground sits beneath the great grey wall of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and on a clear spring afternoon the view from the grass embankments is one most fans never forget. It has been a Test venue since the late nineteenth century and remains one of the spiritual homes of South African cricket.

The atmosphere tends to be relaxed and sociable rather than raucous, with picnic-style crowds on the grassier areas and a strong local following for the Proteas. For a tournament opener, it is hard to think of a better shop window.

Key CWC 2027 matches

Newlands gets the main event under way on 7 October with a blockbuster: India against Australia, a 10:00 local start. Expect enormous demand for tickets and a large travelling Indian contingent.

Two days later, on 9 October, the hosts South Africa take on New Zealand in a day/night fixture starting at 12:30 local time, which should draw a big home crowd.

The ground also stages several Super 7 matches before hosting Semi-final 1 on 17 November, when the team finishing top of the Super 7 meets the side in fourth.

Getting there

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about 20 km from the ground, and the drive normally takes around half an hour outside peak times. E-hailing apps are widely used in Cape Town and are usually the simplest way to reach Newlands, though roads around the ground will be busy on match days, so allow plenty of time and consider being dropped a short walk away.

Big tournaments in South Africa often come with organised shuttles or park-and-ride schemes. Nothing should be assumed until it is confirmed, so check official transport plans closer to the time.

Where to stay

The Southern Suburbs, including Newlands itself, Claremont and Rondebosch, put you within easy reach of the ground and have plenty of guesthouses and restaurants. If you would rather be in the thick of the city, the City Bowl and the V&A Waterfront offer the widest choice of hotels and nightlife, with a short drive out to the cricket. Demand around the opening match and the semi-final is likely to be high, so book early.

Match-day tips

October and November are spring into early summer in Cape Town. Days are often pleasant and sunny, but the famous south-easterly wind, locally called the Cape Doctor, can pick up sharply in the afternoon. Bring a light layer for evening sessions at day/night games, along with a hat and high-factor sun cream, as the sun can be fierce even when the breeze feels cool.

For bag sizes, prohibited items and re-entry rules, check the official stadium rules before you travel. Card payments are widely accepted around Cape Town, but carrying a small amount of cash is sensible as a backup. As in any big city, keep valuables out of sight, use registered transport after dark and stay aware of your surroundings.

Beyond the cricket

A trip up Table Mountain, by cableway or on foot for the fit, is the obvious first stop. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lies close to Newlands and makes for a gentle morning before an afternoon start. For a longer day out, the drive down the peninsula to Cape Point takes in some of the most dramatic coastline in Africa.