Victoria Falls Stadium nears completion

Zimbabwe’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup are progressing, with the new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls nearing completion ahead of its planned debut at the global tournament.

The stadium’s first World Cup match will see hosts Zimbabwe face India in their final group-stage fixture on October 24, 2027. The venue is also scheduled to stage three Super 7 matches on October 28 and 30, and November 1.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said the main construction work was substantially complete, with efforts now focused on finishing touches before an initial trial match, which will be announced in due course.

The media and broadcast centres, changing rooms, medical facilities, grandstands and grass banks are largely complete. Roofing, the installation of bucket seats and other finishing work remain underway, while corporate gazebos are also planned.

“The main building works are as good as complete and we are now concentrating on the finishes that will bring the stadium together, with all the outstanding materials having been delivered,” ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said.

Full completion is targeted for mid-2027, with an international series planned to provide a more extensive test of the facilities before the World Cup.

“The initial trial match will give us an opportunity to assess the playing facilities and essential match-day operations,” Makoni added.

Zimbabwe will co-host the tournament with South Africa and Namibia, with Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls among the destinations set to welcome teams and supporters.

The latest progress was reviewed during a recently concluded International Cricket Council (ICC) inspection of Zimbabwe’s host cities. The delegation visited Takashinga Cricket Club and Harare Sports Club in Harare, the Victoria Falls venue and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Sarah Edgar, ICC tournament director for the 2027 World Cup, and Zimbabwe tournament director Hamilton Masakadza led the inspection.

“We are pleased with the progress made in addressing the baseline requirements to bring the venues up to the standards necessary for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” Edgar said.

She singled out Victoria Falls as an exciting addition, saying international supporters would have the opportunity to experience cricket at a renowned tourist destination.

In Harare and Bulawayo, work is focused on upgrading existing grounds to meet tournament requirements, which have evolved since Zimbabwe last hosted the men’s World Cup in 2003.

“We’ve identified areas where we will adjust a little bit and tailor-make to the ICC requirements for the 2027 event,” Masakadza said.

He added that progress at Victoria Falls was encouraging and that officials were comfortable with the construction timelines.

Selected stands at Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club will receive bucket seats, while floodlights are planned for Queens Sports Club and the Victoria Falls stadium ahead of the tournament.

Zimbabwe’s preparations also include a series of international fixtures in October 2027, with the hosts scheduled to face Australia and Pakistan in Harare and Afghanistan in Bulawayo, alongside matches against qualifying teams.

Matches at Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, Victoria Falls

24 October - Zimbabwe v India

28 October - A1 v A2

30 October - A3 v AB4

1 November - A2 v B1

Matches at Harare Sports Club

15 October - Zimbabwe v Australia

17 October - New Zealand v Qualifier B

19 October - Zimbabwe v Pakistan

20 October - England v Qualifier B

Matches at Queens Sports Club

9 October - Zimbabwe v Qualifier A

11 October - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan