Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium Set for Historic Cricket Debut as Victoria Falls Businesses Eye Sports Tourism Boom

Victoria Falls is positioning itself for a new chapter in tourism, with the upcoming competitive debut of the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium offering local businesses an opportunity to tap into the growing sports tourism market ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Zimbabwe’s 2026/27 domestic cricket season gets underway today, with defending Pro50 champions Southern Rocks facing Eagles in Masvingo, while Mountaineers host Tuskers in Mutare.

Attention will later shift to Victoria Falls, where Southern Rocks are scheduled to face Tuskers on November 20 in what will be the first competitive match at the new international cricket stadium.

However, the bigger prize for the resort city lies in the international spotlight coming next year, following confirmation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium will host four matches during the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

The tournament, co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia, will bring some of the world’s leading cricket nations to the region, presenting Victoria Falls with an opportunity to combine elite international sport with its established tourism offering.

According to the ICC’s published fixtures, Victoria Falls will host the following matches:

• 24 October 2027: Zimbabwe vs India — a landmark group-stage encounter featuring the hosts against one of cricket’s global powerhouses.
• 28 October 2027: India vs Australia
• 30 October 2027: Pakistan vs England
• 1 November 2027: Australia vs New Zealand

Beyond the excitement on the pitch, the World Cup presents a significant commercial opportunity for Victoria Falls.

Hotels, lodges, guesthouses, restaurants, tour operators, transport companies, curio shops and entertainment venues could benefit from visiting supporters, teams, officials, sponsors and international media.

The arrival of cricket fans could stimulate demand for accommodation, meals, airport transfers, sightseeing excursions, adventure activities and cultural experiences. Businesses that prepare early could develop match-day promotions, cricket-themed tourism packages and special offers linking stadium attendance with visits to the Victoria Falls rainforest and other attractions.

Small and medium-sized enterprises also have an opportunity to enter the supply chains supporting the tournament through catering, printing, branding, event services, transport and merchandise.

For local entrepreneurs, the challenge will be to convert the expected international attention into actual sales, jobs and business growth.

This will require collaboration between tourism operators, business associations, local authorities, event organisers and cricket administrators to ensure that local enterprises are visible, competitive and ready to serve visitors.

Victoria Falls has traditionally built its international reputation around the waterfalls, wildlife, adventure tourism and hospitality. The new cricket stadium introduces another potential pillar of the city’s tourism economy.

Sports tourism can help destinations attract new visitor segments, encourage longer stays and create additional reasons to travel outside traditional peak periods.

The opportunity extends beyond the World Cup. Domestic cricket, international fixtures, training camps, exhibition matches and other sporting events could help establish Victoria Falls as a destination where visitors combine sport with leisure and adventure.

The stadium is also expected to host Logan Cup first-class cricket in December, while construction continues towards its targeted completion in mid-2027.

Meanwhile, the Pro50 Championship final is scheduled for November 29, with the venue yet to be confirmed. The domestic season will continue with the Logan Cup before the festive break.

With four World Cup matches scheduled for Victoria Falls, local businesses have an important window to prepare for the tournament.

Accommodation providers can review capacity and pricing, restaurants can plan for increased demand, tour operators can develop cricket-and-adventure packages, and transport businesses can explore partnerships with hotels and event organisers.

There is also a role for coordinated destination marketing to encourage supporters to spend additional days in Victoria Falls rather than treating match attendance as a brief stopover.

The benefits, however, will not be automatic. Effective planning, reliable services, competitive pricing and strong partnerships will be essential if the tournament is to translate international exposure into lasting economic gains.

As Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup, Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium represents more than a sporting facility. It offers Victoria Falls an opportunity to connect international sport with tourism investment, local entrepreneurship and employment creation.

For the city’s business community, the real victory will be measured not only in runs scored and matches won, but also in hotel bookings, restaurant sales, jobs created and money circulating within the local economy.