Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani on Friday described the confirmation of Zimbabwe as a co-host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 as a 'tremendous honour', calling it a strong vote of confidence in the country's capacity to stage world-class global cricket events.

Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls have been officially confirmed among the 12 host cities for the 50-over showpiece, which Zimbabwe will co-host alongside South Africa and Namibia in October–November 2027.

The Host Venues in Zimbabwe

Matches on Zimbabwean soil will be played at three venues: the iconic Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and the newly developing Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. The inclusion of Victoria Falls adds a tourism dimension rarely seen in World Cup host selections.

In a statement, Mukuhlani said: 'This marks another significant milestone on our journey towards hosting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Having Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls confirmed as host cities is a tremendous honour for Zimbabwe and a vote of confidence in our ability to stage world-class international cricket events.'

He added: 'This tournament presents a unique opportunity not only to showcase our cricket but also Zimbabwe's people, culture, hospitality and breathtaking tourism destinations to a global audience. Together with our partners in South Africa and Namibia, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable Cricket World Cup that reflects the spirit of our continent.'

Preparations Already Under Way

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said preparations are progressing well and that the venue confirmation has added fresh momentum. 'The confirmation of our three host venues is an exciting moment for everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event to life,' Makoni said.

'Preparations have been progressing well, and this announcement gives us even greater momentum as we continue working closely with the ICC and our fellow hosts to ensure every aspect of the tournament meets the highest international standards,' he added.

Makoni also pointed to the broader legacy ambitions: 'Beyond the cricket itself, we see the World Cup as an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through infrastructure development, tourism, economic activity and inspiring the next generation of Zimbabwean cricketers.'

A Historic Return to African Soil

The 2027 edition will be the 14th Men's ODI World Cup and marks the return of the tournament to African soil for the first time in 24 years — since South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya jointly hosted the 2003 edition. The expanded format features 14 teams and 57 matches across the three nations.

South Africa will host games across eight venues, including the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Newlands in Cape Town, and Kingsmead in Durban. Namibia's capital, Windhoek, will stage matches at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

What This Means for Zimbabwe Cricket

For Zimbabwe, co-hosting a World Cup carries significance beyond the sporting calendar. The country's cricket infrastructure has faced well-documented challenges over the past two decades, and the ICC's confidence in awarding it host-city status signals a meaningful rehabilitation of its standing in global cricket administration. The Mosi-oa-Tunya stadium in Victoria Falls, still under development, will need to meet ICC standards ahead of the tournament — a key infrastructure milestone to watch.

With just over two years to go, all eyes will be on whether Zimbabwe can deliver on the logistical and infrastructural commitments that come with hosting one of sport's biggest events.