Namibia welcome the world as stadium build nears completion

It’s a place where its hosts refuse you going home hungry, and now Namibia is readying to showcase a feast for cricket by unveiling a state-of-the-art ground in Windhoek that will stand to shine for the world at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

The FNB Namibia Cricket Ground is set for completion in October, a testament to Namibia’s growing stature in the game as a high-achieving nation on the field, but also the embodiment of tireless work and passion off the field.

Having hosted a number of ICC pathway events, Namibia is now gearing up to host the Cricket World Cup alongside co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe.

For Cricket Namibia, it’s a project several years in the making, and in saving. Their growth in the game has brought increased public exposure and commercial opportunities, assisting with the US $4M investment into the stadium’s development.

For Johan Muller, CEO of Cricket Namibia, it’s an achievement only made possible from overachieving on multiple fronts.

“The journey to developing Namibia’s new international cricket stadium has been a meticulously planned process, aligning with our vision of positioning the country as a top-tier Associate Member," said Muller.

“Having a world-class cricket venue is a milestone that solidifies Namibia’s status as a leading Associate Member. It signifies our commitment to long-term cricketing excellence, not only in on-field performance but in administrative and infrastructural development.

“This stadium will serve as a beacon for cricket in Africa, ensuring Namibia remains a host nation for top-tier ICC events and a key player in global cricket discussions.”

A virtual representation of the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground /// Cricket Namibia

Situated in the south of the capital city of Windhoek, the ground will hold a capacity of just under 8,000.

The venue will also house Namibia’s High Performance Centre, with an indoor centre and gym to prime the country’s aspiring and elite players who meet for camps at various times across the year.

Namibian men’s skipper Gerhard Erasmus - the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2024 - can’t wait to represent his nation at a premier ground.

“It’s been such a journey, especially with the group of players and staff we've had now since 2019, and the field really feels like a flagpole in the ground and a legacy that maybe this group has created and left for cricket in Namibia,” Erasmus said.

“There's obviously plenty of people from the past to thank and plenty of those still work in and amongst Cricket Namibia.

“It just feels like such a dangling pot of gold that has come at the end of all the hard work, so in that sense, it’s a very iconic and special sort of physical manifestation that has happened over the last year for us to build the stadium.”

The reality of the ground is almost beyond Erasmus’ comprehension. Having grown up in the Cricket Namibia family, watching the work of his father Francois within the governing body, few are better placed to explain the magnitude of what has been done in such a short space of time.

“I don't think I ever thought about it being a possibility - no,” Erasmus said, when asked if he could imagine an exclusive ground for cricket in the country.

“I think growing up, I was always at the Wanderers field (in Windhoek) and that has been the home of cricket forever because the training facilities are there and I've only really known that ever as the home.

“It’s always been a multipurpose club and it's always probably not been the ideal setting to call your home there because there's so many other members of a club and so many other sports that share the same facilities. If you want to be truly professional and highly-regarded as one of the best sports in the country, you need your own home.

“This is why it makes it so special.”

On the corporate side, the ground will feature a restaurant and a hospitality wing, helping to create rewarding match experiences for those visiting from near and afar, and designated work spaces to align with ICC requirements to host global tournaments.

Muller wants to leave a lasting impression on those travelling to Namibia to return home with lifelong memories.

“Hosting a senior ICC World Cup is an immense source of national pride. It reflects Namibia’s growing influence in international cricket and validates years of hard work by players, administrators, and fans.

“Namibia is ready to welcome you with open arms. Our country is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.

“Beyond the thrilling cricket action, visitors can explore Namibia’s diverse attractions, from the dunes of Sossusvlei to the wildlife of Etosha National Park.

“Namibia promises a World Cup experience like no other.”

Inside the boundary rope the ground is ready to go, and will get its first taste of international cricket in March with Erasmus’ side hosting The Netherlands and Canada in a T20I tri-series to be played out after their League 2 ODI leg.

For the skipper, it’s a chance to move even further in the game, leaving a mark for future generations to improve upon.

“It's a rebirth of something new, so that in itself is always exciting and that's what you want to do in cricket as a cricket nation. You want to continue building, you know when it becomes stagnant you want to inspire future generations, so things like this need to happen.

“It would sort of be perhaps the true homecoming for a lot of Namibian cricket folk that have worked forever in Cricket Namibia, basically given their lives for the country's cricket.”

Not given the luxury of an automatic spot at Cricket World Cup 2027, qualification for the World Cup meanwhile will be an uphill task for the Eagles, currently outside a top four spot in League 2, which would move them to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

There is a path through a Play-off should they not finish in the top half of the eight-team competition, though Erasmus acknowledges play needs to improve on the field if they are to feature at the tournament on home soil.

“The qualification runs are obviously tough, where there are fewer teams in the 50-over World Cup, but it would definitely be one of the most special things in your career to play on a world stage event in front of your people.

“It feels like we've been going through a little bit of a rebuilding phase for the last sort of 18 months, maybe even two years.

“I think the team is younger than it was in the first four years of this journey, and there’s obviously going to always be speed bumps along the way with that.”

The ground is set to also play host to part of the next ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, a tournament co-hosted with Zimbabwe.