Arsenal Fans To Paint Harare Red On 31 May

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has given the go-ahead for the Arsenal Fans Harare Chapter to hold an end-of-season parade and gathering in central Harare on 31 May, celebrating the English club’s first league title in 22 years.

The Gunners could still complete a league and European double this season, with the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain set for Saturday, 30 May.

Arsenal supporters around the world will be hoping to celebrate both the Premier League title and the Champions League trophy. The club ended a 22-year wait for the league crown this season.

In a letter dated 22 May from Harare Central District Police headquarters, signed by Superintendent S. Mbimbi, the Officer Commanding Police, the Harare-based Arsenal supporters’ group was granted permission to march from Harare Gardens along Herbert Chitepo Street and Prince Edward Street before gathering at Alexandra Sports Club between 2 pm and 5 pm.

“Your notification letter to conduct the end-of-season parade and gathering at Alexander Sports Club on the 31ˢᵗ of May 2026 from 1400 hours to 1700 hours has been noted,” he wrote.

“Parade route shall be from Harare Gardens into Herbert Chitepo Street, Prince Edward Street and finally at Alexandra Sports Club.

“Please confine your event to the above-stated venue and time outlined.

“Make sure that no Zimbabwean laws are violated. Police will monitor.”

Superintendent Mbimbi, however, warned the group that the regulating authority reserves the right to stop the event if it poses a public order threat or violates any Zimbabwean laws.

Arsenal Football Club enjoys a massive and deeply passionate following across Africa.

One reason is that, at a time when many European managers were reluctant to build teams around African players because of the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger embraced them.

He looked past the stereotypes and gave African players central roles in his squads. That inclusive philosophy resonated deeply across the continent.

Arsenal has been home to some of the greatest African players in football history: Nigerian forward Nwankwo Kanu, Cameroonian defender Lauren (Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer), Ivorian centre-back Kolo Touré, Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor, as well as Alex Song (Cameroon), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Thomas Partey (Ghana), and Mohamed Elneny (Egypt).