European fans make up a larger share of the AFCON 2027 audience than any previous edition. At AFCON 2025 in Morocco, over 130,000 tickets were claimed from outside Africa — France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK among the top ten non-African ticket-buying nations. CAF secured broadcast deals across 30+ European territories. The tournament generated 5.2 billion video views globally. AFCON has gone European — and AFCON 2027 in Tanzania, arriving in the summer for the first time in years, is the edition that converts casual European interest into genuine attendance. This guide covers everything European fans need to know.
Why European Fans Are Watching AFCON More Than Ever
The answer is on the pitch of every Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga club. Nearly one in three players at AFCON 2025 were born outside Africa — diaspora players developed in European academies, representing their heritage nations on the continental stage. When Morocco play, millions of French, Belgian, Dutch and Spanish fans with Moroccan heritage watch. When Nigeria play, the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the UK and Ireland are watching. When Algeria play, the Algerian diaspora across France — the largest in Europe — stops for every match.
AFCON 2027 adds another dimension: it is the first major AFCON held in the European summer. The tournament runs 19 June to 17 July 2027 — after every major European league has finished its season. For European fans planning a holiday in East Africa, the timing could not be better. For fans watching from home, the matches fall in evening prime time across European time zones.
How to Watch AFCON 2027 in Europe — By Country
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Expected: Channel 4 — all 52 matches free to air
Channel 4 broadcast all 52 AFCON 2025 matches free to air across Channel 4, E4, 4Seven and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel — the first time in history every AFCON match was available on free-to-air in the UK. A formal AFCON 2027 deal has not been confirmed but Channel 4’s partnership with AFCON is now established and the most likely outcome for UK fans. No subscription required if confirmed. Also available via the Channel 4 app and website for streaming.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Expected: Ziggo Sport
Ziggo carried AFCON 2025 in the Netherlands. The Dutch connection to AFCON runs deep — the Netherlands has one of Europe’s largest Moroccan, Ghanaian and Surinamese communities, and Dutch-born players regularly appear at the tournament. With 14,958 impressions from the Netherlands in our analytics, Dutch football fans are among the most engaged AFCON audiences in Europe. Ziggo Sport subscription required.
🇩🇪 Germany
Expected: DAZN or Sport1
Germany hosts one of Europe’s largest African diaspora communities — Ghanaian, Nigerian, Cameroonian and Moroccan communities particularly. DAZN carried AFCON 2025 in Germany and is the most likely home for AFCON 2027. A DAZN subscription is required. Germany is also your fifth largest country by impressions in our analytics — a significant German audience is already following the tournament.
🇫🇷 France
Expected: Canal+ and beIN Sports
France has the largest African diaspora in Europe — Algerian, Moroccan, Senegalese, Ivorian and Cameroonian communities in the millions. Canal+ Afrique is a confirmed CAF broadcast partner. beIN Sports France covers MENA-focused matches. French is the most-spoken language after English across CAF’s 54 member nations. Subscription required for both.
🇪🇸 Spain
Expected: Movistar+
CAF signed a new deal with Movistar for AFCON 2025 — one of Spain’s leading sports broadcasters. Spain’s large Moroccan community drives significant AFCON interest, and Morocco’s status as defending champions for AFCON 2027 will push viewership even higher. Movistar+ subscription required.
🇳🇴 Norway
Expected: VGTV — free to air
Norway received AFCON 2025 free to air on VGTV for the first time — a significant expansion of European free-to-air coverage. Norway has a growing Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora. Expected to continue for AFCON 2027.
🇬🇷 Greece
Expected: ERT — free to air
Greece returned to free-to-air AFCON coverage in 2025 through ERT. Expected to continue for AFCON 2027.
🇮🇹 Italy
Expected: Sport Italia
Sport Italia carried AFCON 2025. Italy’s interest in AFCON is driven by its Nigerian, Ivorian and Senegalese diaspora communities. Subscription or free-to-air depending on package — check Sport Italia directly.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Expected: RTBF (French) and VRT (Dutch)
Belgium’s enormous Moroccan and Congolese diaspora makes AFCON a significant viewing event. Belgian broadcasters carried AFCON 2025 and are expected to continue for 2027. Check RTBF Sport for French-language coverage and Sporza (VRT) for Dutch.
🇸🇪 Sweden / 🇩🇰 Denmark
Expected: Viaplay or national broadcasters
Scandinavian countries have a growing AFCON audience driven by Somali, Eritrean and Ethiopian diaspora communities. Denmark is one of your highest CTR countries in our analytics — 8 clicks from 92 impressions at 8.7%. Check Viaplay for Sweden and TV2 for Denmark for AFCON 2027 coverage.
AFCON 2027 Match Times for European Fans
AFCON 2027 kick-off times have not been confirmed, but based on AFCON 2023 and 2025 precedent, group stage matches typically kick off at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 local time. East Africa Time (EAT) is UTC+3.
| Kick-off (EAT) | UK (BST) | Central Europe (CEST) | West Africa (WAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 EAT | 12:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| 17:00 EAT | 15:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| 20:00 EAT | 18:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
The evening kick-off at 20:00 EAT hits prime time across Europe — 18:00 UK, 19:00 Central Europe. The summer calendar means no school or work clashes for midweek evening matches. This is the first AFCON that European fans can watch in the summer evening comfort zone they are used to for Champions League football.
Travelling to AFCON 2027 from Europe
AFCON 2027 in Tanzania is further from Europe than recent editions in Morocco or Côte d’Ivoire — but the logistics are straightforward and the experience incomparably richer.
Getting There
| From | Best route | Flight time | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) | Direct to Nairobi → onward to Dar es Salaam | ~9 + 1 hours | Kenya Airways, British Airways |
| Amsterdam (AMS) | Via Nairobi or Addis Ababa | ~10–12 hours | Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM |
| Paris (CDG) | Via Nairobi or Addis Ababa | ~10–12 hours | Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | Via Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Doha | ~10–13 hours | Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways |
| Madrid (MAD) | Via Nairobi or Addis Ababa | ~11–13 hours | Iberia, Ethiopian Airlines |
Book early. Flights to Dar es Salaam around AFCON 2027 match days will book up and become significantly more expensive as the tournament approaches. Book at least 6 months in advance — ideally by early 2027 at the latest.
Visa Requirements for European Fans
| Nationality | Tanzania eVisa required? | Cost | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇫🇷 France | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden / 🇩🇰 Denmark / 🇳🇴 Norway | Yes — eVisa | $50 USD | visa.immigration.go.tz |
Apply at least 2 months before travel — processing takes up to 10 working days. Apply well in advance of your travel date rather than at the last minute. See our complete Tanzania eVisa guide.
Health Requirements for European Visitors
- Yellow fever certificate — not mandatory for travellers coming directly from Europe, as European countries are not yellow fever endemic. However if you are transiting through a yellow fever endemic country (including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia) you may be asked to show your Yellow Card on entry. Check requirements for your specific route before travelling.
- Malaria prevention — Tanzania is a malaria risk country. Consult your GP or travel clinic at least 6 weeks before departure to discuss antimalarial medication. Dar es Salaam coastal areas carry moderate risk — bring repellent and sleep under a net if staying in non-air-conditioned accommodation.
- Travel insurance — comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended for Tanzania. Check that your policy covers sub-Saharan Africa specifically.
See our complete Tanzania health guide for the full list of recommended vaccinations and health precautions.
What to Expect in Tanzania — A European Fan’s Perspective
Tanzania is not Morocco. It is not Côte d’Ivoire. It is not Egypt. For European fans used to recent AFCON editions in North or West Africa, East Africa is a genuinely different experience — and a significantly richer one.
The weather in June-July: Dar es Salaam is hot and humid — 28 to 32°C. Arusha is cooler and highland — 18 to 25°C. Zanzibar is coastal and warm. Pack light breathable clothing, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle for match days.
The currency: Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD is widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and tourist venues. Carry a mix of USD cash and TZS for local purchases. ATMs at Julius Nyerere International Airport dispense TZS on arrival. See our money guide for the full breakdown.
The language: Swahili is the national language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants and around all AFCON venues. European fans will not face a language barrier in the main tourist districts. A few Swahili phrases go a long way — see our Swahili phrases guide.
The safety: Dar es Salaam is safe for tourists in the main areas — Msasani, Masaki, Oyster Bay and the Slipway area where most AFCON fan activity will be concentrated. Use Bolt or Uber exclusively at night. Do not walk between venues after dark. See our complete safety guide.
The food: Tanzanian food is extraordinary — spiced rice dishes, fresh Indian Ocean seafood, grilled nyama choma and Zanzibar’s legendary Forodhani Night Market. A full dinner at Forodhani costs £2 to £5 equivalent. See our food guide.
The AFCON 2027 Experience No Previous Edition Has Offered
European fans who attend AFCON 2027 in Tanzania can combine the tournament with things that simply do not exist near any other AFCON host:
- Zanzibar — 25 minutes by flight or 2 hours by fast ferry from Dar es Salaam. UNESCO Stone Town, Indian Ocean beaches, the Forodhani Night Market. A match at Fumba City Stadium followed by a Zanzibar beach week is an AFCON itinerary available nowhere else on earth.
- Serengeti and Great Migration — AFCON 2027 runs 19 June to 17 July, which is peak Great Migration season. The wildebeest crossing the Mara River is one of the great natural spectacles on earth. A group stage match in Arusha plus a Serengeti safari extension is a realistic 5-day itinerary. See our safari guide.
- Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa’s highest mountain, visible from Arusha on clear mornings. Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium sits within sight of its slopes. No previous AFCON has offered this view.
- Nairobi National Park — if you route through Nairobi, the only national park inside a capital city is a genuine half-day safari option between flights.
Tickets — How European Fans Can Buy Them
Official AFCON 2027 ticket sales are expected to open August to October 2026 via tickets.cafonline.com. Based on AFCON 2025, European fans wanting to attend in person should:
- Register at tickets.cafonline.com now — mandatory before any purchase, even before sales open
- Get a Visa card — 48-hour exclusive presale access before the general public
- Book in Phase 1 Visa presale — high-profile matches sell out here
- Buy tickets before booking flights — confirm your matches first, then book travel around them
See our ticket prices guide for expected costs and our how to buy guide for the full step-by-step process.
Why AFCON 2027 Is Worth the Journey from Europe
AFCON 2025 in Morocco drew 130,000+ tickets from outside Africa. Most of those fans were one flight away. Tanzania is further — but it offers something Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt never could. AFCON 2027 is the last biennial Africa Cup of Nations in history — the tournament moves to a four-year cycle from 2028. The last chance to attend an AFCON in the format that created Mahrez’s free-kick, Haller’s comeback, Mane’s legacy. The best player availability in the tournament’s 70-year history. And it is happening in East Africa — in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, with the Great Migration running simultaneously in the Serengeti. The journey from Europe is longer than Morocco. The experience is incomparably greater.
For the complete tournament schedule see our fixtures guide. For all venues see our stadiums guide. For accommodation in Dar es Salaam see our accommodation guide. For Zanzibar see our Zanzibar guide.
European broadcast information sourced from CAF official announcement (record 20 European media partnerships for AFCON 2025) and individual broadcaster confirmations. AFCON 2027 European broadcast deals not yet formally confirmed — page will be updated as announcements are made. AFCON 2025 ticket data sourced from MoroccoBeat/CAF ticket statistics, October 2025.