How Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the 11th ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2015 Cricket World Cup was a massive logistical undertaking, featuring 14 teams and 49 matches across two nations. From a record-breaking final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to complex visa arrangements and high-stakes broadcasting rights, the tournament redefined the scale of international cricket as a global media event.

The 2015 tournament marked the second time Australia and New Zealand jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup, following their initial collaboration in 1992. The event featured 14 teams divided into two pools, with the top four from each group advancing to a single-elimination knockout stage. Australia ultimately secured their fifth title by defeating co-host New Zealand by seven wickets in the final, which drew a record-breaking crowd of 93,013 spectators to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Organizing the event required significant cooperation between the two host nations. Australia hosted 26 matches while New Zealand held 23, with the final held in Melbourne and semi-finals split between Sydney and Auckland. To facilitate travel, a special Trans-Tasman Visa Arrangement allowed spectators with Australian visitor visas to enter New Zealand. The tournament also saw a total prize pool of $10 million, a 20 percent increase over the 2011 edition, reflecting the growing commercial value of the sport.

The tournament was a significant media phenomenon, with broadcasting rights sold for US$2 billion. While an ICC-commissioned report estimated that over 1.5 billion people watched the competition, the event occurred during a period of declining television viewership in India. Despite controversies regarding umpiring decisions and qualification formats, the 2015 World Cup successfully integrated associate nations like Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates, ensuring a diverse field of competitors on the world stage.

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