Preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 are gathering pace in Zimbabwe, with the scenic Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls edging closer to completion following significant progress across the country’s three host cities.
The new stadium’s first match at the marquee 2027 event will be the big one for the hosts, Zimbabwe, as they take on India in their final group-stage fixture on 24 October.
The venue will also host three Super 7 games on 28 and 30 October, and 1 November.
The main building works at the new venue are substantially complete, with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) now focused on finishing touches ahead of the stadium’s first trial match, which will be announced in due course.
The media centre, broadcast centre, changing rooms, medical facility, grandstands and grass banks are substantially complete.
Roofing, the installation of bucket seats and other finishing works are underway, while corporate gazebos are also set to be installed.
ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni highlighted the progress made at the venue.
“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,” Makoni said.
“When you look at the outfield and how the facilities are taking shape, there is a real sense of excitement about how close we are to playing cricket here.”
Full completion is targeted for mid-2027, with an international series planned to provide a more extensive test of the facilities ahead of 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 2027 tournament alongside South Africa and Namibia, with Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls set to welcome teams and fans for the global event.
The progress was highlighted during a recently concluded International Cricket Council (ICC) inspection of Zimbabwe’s host cities.
The inspection began at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, which is being considered as a potential venue for World Cup warm-up matches, before moving to Harare Sports Club, Victoria Falls and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Sarah Edgar, ICC Tournament Director for Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, and Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe Tournament Director, led the inspection and welcomed the developments that have taken shape across the venues.
“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.
“The improvements to the stadiums and wider venue infrastructure are clearly evident and will help ensure the grounds are ready to host the tournament.
“Victoria Falls, in particular, is an exciting project. International fans will be in for a real treat, with the opportunity to experience international cricket at such an iconic destination. Victoria Falls is already a world-renowned tourist attraction, and bringing cricket to this remarkable setting will add another dimension to the experience for visiting fans.”
In Harare and Bulawayo, work is focused on adapting established venues to meet tournament requirements, which have evolved considerably since Zimbabwe last hosted the ICC Men’s Cricket 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.
“In Victoria Falls, there is a lot of progress and we’re all very excited about how things are looking there. In terms of the timelines as well, we’re very comfortable with what’s happening there.”
Selected stands at Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club will be refurbished with bucket seats, while floodlights are planned for Queens Sports Club and the Victoria Falls stadium ahead of the tournament.
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
– ICC