article · The International Journal of the History of Sport
Zimbabwe is scheduled to co-host the Cricket World Cup in 2027, marking the second time the country hosts the competition. When Zimbabwe previously co-hosted the tournament in 2003, proceedings were heavily overshadowed by national political developments, including the controversial fast-track land reform programme and disputed 2002 presidential elections. During that event, political opposition voiced grievances, the ruling ZANU PF government responded with a heavy-handed approach, and cricketers Henry Olonga and Andy Flower staged a black armband protest against the state. This led to increased politicisation that damaged domestic cricket. The 2027 tournament approaches under another tense political climate, shaped by disputed 2023 elections and official attempts to amend the constitution to extend political terms to 2030, establishing conditions for renewed politicisation during international sports mega-events.
Hosting international sports tournaments in politically unstable settings can compromise both the sport and event operations. Understanding how political grievances and government responses affected Zimbabwe during the 2003 Cricket World Cup provides critical context for sports governing bodies, event planners, and civil society as they anticipate the operational, reputational, and social challenges of the 2027 tournament.
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Zimbabwe will co-host the Cricket World Cup in 2027 for a second time. The last time Zimbabwe hosted the tournament, it was overshadowed by political developments like the controversial fast track land reform programme and the disputed 2002 presidential elections. The opposition took advantage of the World Cup to express their political grievances, whilst the ruling ZANU PF government responded with a heavy-handed approach. The 2003 tournament is remembered for the black armed protest against the ZANU PF government by two cricketers Henry Olonga and Andy Flower. This resulted in the increased pollicisation of Zimbabwean cricket which had a negative impact on the game. The 2027 World Cup will be held in a different but highly charged political environment, following the disputed 2023 elections and attempts by the ZANU PF government to amend the constitution and extend the presidential and parliamentary terms to 2030. These political developments coupled with the politicized nature of Zimbabwean cricket create the ideal conditions for the politicization of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which has implications for the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in politically volatile contexts.
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DOI: 10.1080/09523367.2026.2722280
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