ROYAL Cricket Club and Glenshire Cricket Club will play First League cricket next season after the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association confirmed their promotion as part of a major expansion of the Vigne Cup competition.
The two clubs earned elevation after outstanding performances in the 2025-2026 HMCA Vigne Cup Second League season, where they emerged as the leading sides.
Their promotion comes as HMCA prepares to increase the size of the First League from eight to ten teams beginning next season.
The association announced the changes following Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to introduce a June 20 completion deadline for the First League season, a move that shortened the domestic calendar and affected the fixture programme.
To ensure fairness, the HMCA Board resolved that no team would be relegated this season.
Instead, the competition will grow to accommodate the two promoted clubs, creating additional opportunities for emerging cricketers to compete at a higher level.
HMCA chairperson Tafadzwa Madoro welcomed Royal and Glenshire to the province’s top division.
“On behalf of the HMCA board, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Royal Cricket Club and Glenshire Cricket Club on their promotion to the Vigne Cup First League and we look forward to their contribution to an expanded and even more competitive league next season,” he said.
The expansion is expected to deepen the talent pool in Harare cricket and strengthen pathways to provincial and national selection.
