Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Cricket Stadium Nears Completion Ahead Of 2027 World Cup
Zimbabwe’s new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is approaching completion, with major construction work finished as the country steps up preparations to co-host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The venue is scheduled to make its World Cup debut on 24 October 2027 when Zimbabwe face India in their final group-stage match. It will also host three Super 7 fixtures on 28 and 30 October and 1 November.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) says attention has shifted to finishing work at the stadium, with a trial match planned before the facility is fully completed.
Also Read: Zimbabwe To Host Three 2027 Cricket World Cup Matches With Victoria Falls Stadium Making Debut
Major Construction Works Almost Complete
According to ICC, the stadium’s main structures and several key facilities are substantially complete, including the media and broadcast centres, changing rooms, medical facility, grandstands and grass banks.
Workers are now concentrating on roofing, installing bucket seats and completing other outstanding features. Corporate gazebos are also expected to be installed as the project moves towards its final stages.
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said the remaining work would bring the different parts of the venue together, adding that all outstanding materials had been delivered.
“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.
He expressed excitement about the progress, particularly the condition of the playing surface and the development of the stadium’s facilities.
Full completion is targeted for mid-2027, with an international series planned to give organisers a more extensive opportunity to test the venue before the global tournament.
Makoni said an initial trial match would help officials assess the playing facilities and essential match-day operations.
Zimbabwe To Face India At New Stadium
The Victoria Falls venue is set to welcome its first World Cup match when Zimbabwe meet India on 24 October 2027.
Three additional Super 7 matches will follow, making the stadium one of the venues expected to attract international cricket fans during the tournament.
The location is also expected to give visiting supporters an opportunity to combine cricket with a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the region’s best-known tourist destinations.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 tournament director Sarah Edgar welcomed the progress made during a recent inspection of Zimbabwe’s host cities.
“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 said improvements to the stadiums and wider venue infrastructure were helping prepare the country for the event.
Edgar also highlighted Victoria Falls as a distinctive destination for international supporters, saying the combination of cricket and tourism would add to their experience.
ICC Inspects Harare, Bulawayo And Victoria Falls Venues
The stadium’s development was among the highlights of a recently completed ICC inspection covering Zimbabwe’s three host cities.
The inspection began at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, which is being considered for World Cup warm-up matches, before moving to Harare Sports Club, Victoria Falls and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Edgar and Zimbabwe tournament director Hamilton Masakadza led the inspection, reviewing progress towards meeting the requirements for the tournament.
Unlike Victoria Falls, where a new stadium is being developed, preparations in Harare and Bulawayo largely involve upgrading existing grounds to meet modern international standards.
Masakadza said officials had identified areas requiring adjustments to align the established venues with the ICC’s requirements for 2027.
Selected stands at Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club are due to be refurbished with bucket seats. Floodlights are also planned for Queens Sports Club and the Victoria Falls stadium.
The upgrades reflect changes in tournament requirements since Zimbabwe last hosted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2003.
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