Zimbabwe plans to construct new world-class national stadium in Mashonaland

Zimbabwe is advancing plans to construct a world-class National Stadium in Mount Hampden following high-level engagements between Government officials and global construction firm Mabetex Group at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

The proposed stadium is expected to meet both Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) standards, addressing a long-standing challenge that has seen Zimbabwe's national teams forced to host "home" matches outside the country due to the absence of a compliant venue.

Treasury officials confirmed that discussions with Mabetex focused on technical capacity, design standards and financing structures for the project, which is being considered under a 30-year, Treasury-light financing model. The approach is intended to minimise pressure on public finances while enabling the delivery of a modern, internationally certified facility.

Government sources say the Mount Hampden location aligns with broader urban development plans around the new Parliament complex and surrounding infrastructure, positioning the stadium as part of a long-term vision for the area's growth.

If realised, the National Stadium would restore Zimbabwe's ability to host international football matches, athletics competitions and major regional events, while reducing the financial and logistical burden of playing abroad. It is also expected to create opportunities for youth development, sports tourism and employment during both the construction and operational phases.

Zimbabwe has, in recent years, struggled to maintain CAF- and FIFA-approved stadiums, resulting in reputational and competitive disadvantages for local teams. The proposed project is therefore seen as a strategic investment not only in sport, but also in national pride and international re-engagement.

Further technical assessments and financing negotiations are expected to continue in the coming months, with Government indicating that updates on timelines and implementation modalities will be communicated once processes are finalised.