Zimbabwe Cricket to revamp Harare and Bulawayo venues for World Cups

ASHLEY DUBE

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced plans to upgrade the facilities at Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, as the country prepares to host two major international tournaments in 2026 and 2027. 

Zimbabwe will co-host the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup with Namibia in 2026, followed by the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027.

The two venues have a combined capacity of 19,000 spectators, but ZC wants to increase the number of seats and improve the amenities to cater for the expected influx of fans. 

ZC chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani said that the first phase of the renovation project has already been completed, with the installation of floodlights at Harare Sports Club. 

The venue hosted the inaugural Cyber City Zim Afro T10 tournament in March, which was the first floodlit cricket event in Zimbabwe. 

Harare Sports Club also has a history of hosting World Cup matches, having been one of the venues for the 2003 edition that Zimbabwe co-hosted with South Africa and Kenya.

Mukuhlani also revealed that ZC has acquired land in Victoria Falls, where it intends to build a new stadium as part of its vision to spread the game to all parts of the country. 

Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination, known for its spectacular waterfall and wildlife attractions. 

Mukuhlani said that the new stadium will boost the tourism sector and create more opportunities for cricket development in the region.