South Africa’s NLC funds nine-venue Cricket World Cup upgrades
The R65.6m grant will finance permanent infrastructure, broadcast facilities and ground equipment, with CSA pledging transparent reporting on its impact.
Key takeaways:
- South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is providing R65.6m (US$4m) for 2027 Cricket World Cup preparations.
- Nine venues across six provinces will receive funding for World Cup upgrades, including broadcast, seating, safety, player and hospitality facilities, as well as specialised ground equipment.
- The grant will support South Africa’s wider cricket ecosystem, with the NLC saying its sports funding contributes to grassroots development, social cohesion and nation building.
- Cricket South Africa has committed to managing the funds with full accountability and reporting transparently on their impact.
South Africa.- South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has awarded Cricket South Africa R65.6m (US$4m) to prepare nine venues for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The investment combines tournament-readiness upgrades with permanent improvements intended to benefit players, provinces and supporters beyond the event. Awarded through the lottery regulator’s sport and recreation grant-funding mandate, the funding comes as South Africa prepares to co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The cheque was presented at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on October 7, with NLC Board Chairperson Tembinkosi Bonakele handing it to CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki. NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz and Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie also attended the handover, with South Africa set to co-host the 2027 tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The NLC is South Africa’s national regulator for lotteries and sports pools and also provides funding for sport and recreation through its grant-funding mandate. The Commission said its funding of the sector contributes to social cohesion and nation building, including support for sports federations and grassroots sport development.
National Lotteries Commissioner Jodi Scholtz said in a press release: “The grant funding allocated to CSA comes at a time when South Africa is preparing to co-host International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2027 with Zimbabwe and Namibia. We are excited and anticipate that this funding will unearth future cricket talent that will feature in major cricket tournaments including future World Cups.”
The grant will be invested at nine venues across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North-West. The venues include Newlands, Boland Park, St George’s Park, Buffalo Park, Mangaung Oval, Kingsmead, SuperSport Park, the Wanderers Stadium and JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
The funding will cover permanent stadium infrastructure, broadcast and media facilities, and ground equipment. Upgrades include new broadcast, seating, safety and player facilities at venues including Newlands, Buffalo Park and Boland Park. Equipment at all nine venues will include specialised mowers, tractors and pitch rollers.
CSA chief financial officer Tjaart van der Walt said: “This investment from the National Lotteries Commission makes a lasting difference to cricket in South Africa.”
Van der Walt said the funding would address specific venue needs while supporting a world-class 2027 World Cup and delivering lasting benefits for players, provinces and supporters.
He added: “We thank the NLC for its confidence in cricket and for recognising the role our stadiums play in their communities. We are committed to managing these funds with full accountability and to reporting transparently on their impact.”
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will mark the tournament’s return to Africa for the first time since 2003.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much has the NLC awarded Cricket South Africa for World Cup preparations? The NLC has awarded R65.6m, equivalent to approximately US$4m. The grant is designated for stadium infrastructure improvements and ground equipment.
- Which cricket venues will receive NLC funding? The nine venues are Newlands, Boland Park, St George’s Park, Buffalo Park, Mangaung Oval, Kingsmead, SuperSport Park, the Wanderers Stadium and JB Marks Oval.
- What will the NLC cricket grant pay for? It will fund infrastructure, broadcast and media facilities, seating, safety and player facilities according to venue needs. All nine grounds will receive equipment including specialised mowers, tractors and pitch rollers.
- Why is South Africa’s lottery regulator funding cricket stadium upgrades? The NLC also has a grant-funding mandate supporting sport and recreation. It links this support to social cohesion, nation building and grassroots development, while CSA says the upgrades will provide lasting benefits beyond the World Cup.
