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Victoria Falls stadium to host 2027 Cricket World Cup
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Zimbabwe will host three matches of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the newly constructed Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.
The announcement was made on Thursday as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly unveiled the tournament's host cities and brand identity during a launch at the Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg.
The tournament, scheduled for October and November 2027, will mark the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup's return to Africa for the first time in 24 years.
Zimbabwe's three venues are among 12 confirmed stadiums that will stage matches during the global showpiece. South Africa will host games across eight venues, while Namibia's matches will be played at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Former Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza represented the country at the launch alongside South African cricket legends Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, as well as Namibia's Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
The tournament will be staged under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat."
Organisers also unveiled the tournament's official brand, "Make the Circle Bigger," inspired by the traditional African woven bowl, a symbol historically associated with sharing harvests, gifts and community across Southern Africa.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as a major milestone in preparations for the tournament.
"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," he said.
"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."
Local Organising Committee chairman Trevor Manuel said the launch represented more than the unveiling of venues and branding.
"Today is far more than the unveiling of a tournament brand and host cities; it is the moment Africa begins its invitation to the world," he said.
Local Organising Committee chief executive Qondisa Ngwenya said the "Make the Circle Bigger" campaign reflects the ambition to grow the sport across the continent.
"It is a powerful expression of our ambition to inspire new generations, bring more people into the game and create an event that is inclusive, vibrant and unmistakably African," he said.
The 2027 tournament will feature a new three-stage competition format comprising 57 matches. It will begin with a Super Series playoff involving the three lowest-ranked qualifying teams, followed by a 30-match group stage featuring 12 teams divided into two pools.
The top teams will then progress to the Super Seven round-robin stage, with the leading four nations advancing to the semi-finals before the final determines the world champions.
The announcement was made on Thursday as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly unveiled the tournament's host cities and brand identity during a launch at the Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg.
The tournament, scheduled for October and November 2027, will mark the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup's return to Africa for the first time in 24 years.
Zimbabwe's three venues are among 12 confirmed stadiums that will stage matches during the global showpiece. South Africa will host games across eight venues, while Namibia's matches will be played at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Former Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza represented the country at the launch alongside South African cricket legends Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, as well as Namibia's Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren.
The tournament will be staged under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat."
Organisers also unveiled the tournament's official brand, "Make the Circle Bigger," inspired by the traditional African woven bowl, a symbol historically associated with sharing harvests, gifts and community across Southern Africa.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as a major milestone in preparations for the tournament.
"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."
Local Organising Committee chairman Trevor Manuel said the launch represented more than the unveiling of venues and branding.
"Today is far more than the unveiling of a tournament brand and host cities; it is the moment Africa begins its invitation to the world," he said.
Local Organising Committee chief executive Qondisa Ngwenya said the "Make the Circle Bigger" campaign reflects the ambition to grow the sport across the continent.
"It is a powerful expression of our ambition to inspire new generations, bring more people into the game and create an event that is inclusive, vibrant and unmistakably African," he said.
The 2027 tournament will feature a new three-stage competition format comprising 57 matches. It will begin with a Super Series playoff involving the three lowest-ranked qualifying teams, followed by a 30-match group stage featuring 12 teams divided into two pools.
The top teams will then progress to the Super Seven round-robin stage, with the leading four nations advancing to the semi-finals before the final determines the world champions.
Source - zimlive
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