HARARE, Jul. 31 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe’s new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls has been confirmed as one of the venues for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, giving the country a third host venue for the global tournament.
The announcement was made Thursday in Johannesburg as the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the 12 venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia that will stage the tournament.
Zimbabwe will host matches at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium. The country has been allocated 10 matches, while South Africa will host the bulk of the tournament’s 57 fixtures and Namibia will stage three matches in Windhoek.
Zimbabwe cricket legend Hamilton Masakadza joined South African greats Makhaya Ntini and Hashim Amla, as well as Namibia’s Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren, during the launch, which also unveiled the tournament brand under the theme “Three Nations, One Heartbeat.”
Zimbabwe Cricket chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe also attended the ceremony, which marked the official countdown to the 2027 tournament.
The inclusion of the Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, which is under construction, is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s ability to host major international sporting events while showcasing Victoria Falls to a global television audience.
The 2027 Cricket World Cup will be the first to be staged in Africa since the 2003 edition, which was jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
The tournament will feature 14 teams playing 57 matches under a new three-stage competition format.
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South Africa’s host cities are Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Paarl and Buffalo City, while Namibia will host its first senior ICC global tournament in Windhoek.
The event will be built around the African philosophy of Ubuntu through the “Make the Circle Bigger” campaign, celebrating the unity and shared heritage of the three host nations.
ICC chair Jay Shah described the announcement as a major milestone.
“This marks an exciting milestone on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. The unveiling of the host cities and the tournament brand signals the start of a journey that will unite fans around the world and build anticipation for one of our sport’s biggest global events.
“The return of this prestigious tournament to Africa after 24 years is a landmark moment for cricket. We are confident that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will deliver an unforgettable event, showcasing the warmth, passion and rich diversity that make this region truly unique.”
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the tournament would celebrate Africa’s culture and growing influence in world cricket.
“The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup represents the legacy and spectacle of limited-overs cricket. It also marks the return of the pinnacle event to Africa after more than two decades and will celebrate a continent defined by extraordinary people, vibrant cultures, breathtaking experiences and a deep love for sport.
“The vibrant brand unveiled today reflects the energy, ambition and spirit of the event, while every host city offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the warmth and diversity that make Africa truly memorable.”
