Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls are preparing to welcome the world's biggest One-Day International cricket tournament after Zimbabwe was officially confirmed as one of the host nations for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, a development expected to boost tourism, infrastructure investment and economic activity.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the 12 host cities for the tournament during a ceremony in Johannesburg on Thursday, confirming that Zimbabwe will co-host the 14-team, 57-match competition alongside South Africa and Namibia.

The tournament is expected to inject fresh business into the country's hospitality, transport and tourism sectors as thousands of international visitors, broadcasters and cricket supporters descend on Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, already one of Africa's leading tourism destinations, is expected to benefit significantly from the global exposure.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the confirmation of the host cities marked an important milestone for the country.

"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.

"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," he said.

Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said preparations had been progressing steadily and that the tournament would leave benefits long after the final ball is bowled.

"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.

"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.

"Beyond the cricket itself, we see the World Cup as an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through infrastructure development, tourism, economic activity and by inspiring the next generation of Zimbabwean cricketers," he said.

South Africa will host matches in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Paarl and KuGompo City, while Namibia's capital, Windhoek, will stage fixtures at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

The 2027 World Cup will feature the world's top 14 teams competing under a new three-stage competition format aimed at creating more competitive matches throughout the tournament.

The ICC also unveiled the tournament's identity under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat," inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu and the campaign "Make the Circle Bigger," which celebrates unity, diversity and the power of cricket to bring people together across borders.

The tournament will also mark Zimbabwe's return as a World Cup host for the first time since 2003, when it jointly staged the event with South Africa and Kenya. It will also be the first time in 24 years that Africa has hosted cricket's flagship 50-over tournament.