Zimbabwe’s new stadium: will it be profitable and reap the benefits from investing heavily in the stadium project.
Will Zimbabwe’s ecosystem reap benefits from investing heavily into Victoria Falls Stadium?
Former Bulawayo mayor and sports minister David Coltart has harshly criticised Zimbabwe Cricket’s (ZC) development of a new 10,000-seat facility near Victoria Falls.
The Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium is anticipated to host games in the 2027 ODI World Cup after it is completed in August 2026. Coltart has referred to it as a “misplaced budgetary priority” despite ZC’s efforts to promote it as a destination for visiting teams and cricket fans, particularly those from the Big Three nations.
The grass embankments, irrigation, and main pitch of Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium have already been finished. The media centre and players’ pavilion are now under construction, along with the infrastructure for the power and water supplies.
ZC is totally funding the development, which would cost the group US$12 million. They hope to recover this investment by hosting 2027 ODI World Cup matches and hosting high-profile foreign visitors. The World Cup’s definite schedule and locations have not yet been finalised, but at least two stadiums will be assigned to Zimbabwe, which will co-host the competition alongside South Africa and Namibia.
England and their sizable travelling fan base may be Zimbabwe’s first target for a Victoria Falls series after the championship. England cricket will return to Zimbabwe after more than two decades if a tour can be arranged. England last visited the nation in 2004, but after 22 years, ties improved when they hosted Zimbabwe for a Test match in May.
Coltart is worried that ZC is placing all of their eggs in one basket, and it’s not a very big one when it comes to cricket development, even with England as a drawcard.
“Victoria Falls is a small tourist town with a tiny cricket supporting population. The development of this boutique stadium is unprecedented worldwide,” he posted on Facebook. “In every other Test-playing nation, the primary investment by their Boards has been to invest in existing stadia in large population centers right across their countries.
“It must be clear that this stadium is not primarily part of an objective to take the game to smaller centers to promote the game. It appears to be mainly to have a stadium in a tourist center to attract foreign teams who will come for reasons beyond the sole purpose of playing cricket.