Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is the centrepiece of AFCON 2027 in Tanzania — a 60,000-seat arena in Dar es Salaam that will host group stage matches, at least one semi-final and potentially the final itself. For most visiting fans this will be their first time at the stadium and their first time navigating Dar es Salaam on a major match day. This guide covers everything you need from the moment you wake up to the moment you get back to your hotel.
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — The Basics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium |
| Location | Taifa Road, Temeke District, Dar es Salaam |
| Capacity | 60,000 (all-seater) |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage, semi-final, potentially final |
| Distance from Msasani/Masaki | ~15–18km — 30 to 50 minutes by Bolt depending on traffic |
| Distance from city centre | ~8–10km — 20 to 35 minutes by Bolt |
| Distance from airport (JNIA) | ~8km — 15 to 25 minutes by Bolt |
| Gates open | At least 2 hours before kick-off |
Important: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is in Temeke District — a local residential area, not a tourist zone. The stadium itself is fully renovated and modern. The streets around it are not. Plan your transport carefully and do not walk to or from the stadium.
How to Get There
Bolt – recommended option
Use Bolt for every journey to and from the stadium. Both operate extensively in Dar es Salaam. This is not optional advice — it is the safest and most practical way to travel to Mkapa Stadium on match day.
- Book your Bolt to the stadium before you leave your hotel — do not wait until you get outside
- Book your return Bolt before kick-off — not after the final whistle when 60,000 fans are all trying to leave simultaneously. Schedule a pickup, or have the app open and ready to book the moment the match ends
- Drop-off point: Ask your driver to drop you at the main stadium gate — not the road outside. On match days traffic management will affect where vehicles can access
- Cost from Msasani/Masaki: approximately 10,000–18,000 TZS each way
- Cost from city centre: approximately 6,000–12,000 TZS each way
Getting There from Your Hotel — Journey Times
| Starting point | Normal journey | Match day (allow) |
|---|---|---|
| Msasani / Masaki | 25–35 min | 50–70 min |
| Oyster Bay | 20–30 min | 45–60 min |
| City centre | 15–25 min | 35–50 min |
| Julius Nyerere Airport | 15–20 min | 30–45 min |
Dar es Salaam traffic is unpredictable at the best of times. On AFCON 2027 match days — with 60,000 fans all moving toward the same location — give yourself significantly more time than you think you need. Leaving your hotel 2.5 to 3 hours before kick-off is not excessive.
Match Day Timeline — Hour by Hour
| Time before kick-off | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 hours before | Eat a proper meal at your hotel or a nearby restaurant — food inside the stadium will be limited |
| 2.5 hours before | Book Bolt and depart your hotel — this gives you buffer for traffic |
| 2 hours before | Gates open — arrive at the stadium, clear security, find your section |
| 1.5 hours before | Explore the stadium, find food and drinks stalls, locate your seat |
| 1 hour before | Teams warming up on the pitch — a great atmosphere time |
| 30 minutes before | Be in your seat — the pre-match build-up and atmosphere begin |
| At full time | Book Bolt immediately — do not exit and then try to book outside |
| 15 min after full time | Exit when the initial rush has thinned — a short wait inside saves significant time outside |
What to Bring
Essentials
- Your printed or digital match ticket — CAF’s Fan ID system requires registration; have it ready on your phone and a printed backup
- Your passport or national ID — likely required to match your Fan ID registration
- TZS cash — food, drinks and small purchases inside the stadium. ATMs near Temeke District are unreliable on match days — withdraw before you leave your hotel area
- Fully charged phone — you need Bolt working at the end of the match
- Portable phone charger / power bank — 3+ hours at the stadium will drain your battery
- Water bottle — Dar es Salaam in June-July is 28–32°C. Stadiums allow sealed water bottles through security in most cases
What to Wear
- Light breathable clothing — the coastal humidity combined with 60,000 people generates significant heat inside the stadium
- Your team’s colours — AFCON 2027 will have fans from 24 nations; wearing your colours is part of the experience
- Comfortable shoes — you will walk more than you expect between car drop-off, security, your section and your seat
- A light layer for evening matches — Dar es Salaam nights are warm but a light layer is worth having for matches that run late
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for afternoon kick-offs — the sun is strong even in June-July
What Not to Bring
- Large bags or backpacks — security screening will be thorough and large bags slow you down
- Glass bottles or cans
- Professional camera equipment with detachable lenses
- Drones
- Any item that could be used as a weapon
Food and Drinks Inside the Stadium
The renovated Benjamin Mkapa Stadium has in-stadium food and beverage facilities — the stadium is well-equipped with modern amenities including comfortable seating, VIP areas and large screens. For AFCON 2027, CAF’s official catering partners will operate food stalls throughout the concourse.
Expect to find: bottled water, soft drinks, local snacks, grilled meat skewers and basic hot food. Do not rely on the stadium for a full meal — eat before you arrive. Prices inside stadiums at AFCON events are typically higher than street prices.
For a full meal before the match, eat in Msasani or Masaki before you travel — your hotel restaurant, the Slipway or any of the restaurants on the Msasani Peninsula are all better and cheaper options than anything inside the stadium. See our food guide for the best options.
Before the Match — The Best Fan Zone
The Slipway Food Park fan zone on the Msasani Peninsula is the main AFCON 2027 fan hub in Dar es Salaam — large screens showing all matches, food stalls, live music and a coastal atmosphere. Go here before every match, not just the ones you are attending in person.
The Slipway is approximately 15km from Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — 30 to 45 minutes by Bolt. A sensible match day flow:
- Lunch at the Slipway fan zone — food, atmosphere, watch earlier matches on the big screen
- Bolt to the stadium 2.5 hours before your kick-off
- After the match — Bolt back to Msasani for the post-match atmosphere
After the Match — Where to Go
Do not linger in Temeke after a night match. Get in your pre-booked Bolt and return to the Msasani/Masaki area where the post-match atmosphere will be centred.
For a post-match night out:
- The Slipway — open late, great post-match drinks and food
- Havoc Nightspot, Elements or Blockhouse — Masaki clubs open from 22:00
- 1245 Lounge — 4th floor Diamante Building, Chole Road, Masaki — open until 5:00 AM
- Link Dar Lounge — Masaki, cocktails and a late crowd
See our complete nightlife guide for the full post-match entertainment options.
Security and Safety
- CAF security will be thorough — arrive early and expect airport-style bag checks and body scans at the gates. The 2-hour early arrival gives you time to clear security without rushing
- Inside the stadium is safe — the renovated Mkapa has good sight lines, stewards throughout and modern crowd management systems
- The streets around the stadium are not tourist areas — do not explore the Temeke neighbourhood before or after the match. Go directly between your Bolt and the stadium gates
- Pickpocketing risk is highest at the gates during crowded entry — keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket and be aware of your surroundings during the queuing process
- In an emergency — locate your nearest steward. CAF AFCON events have medical teams stationed at all venues
See our complete Tanzania safety guide for full advice on staying safe in Dar es Salaam.
Tickets — What You Need to Know on Match Day
- Official AFCON 2027 tickets are sold via tickets.cafonline.com only — do not buy from touts outside the stadium
- Ticket sales expected August–October 2026 — register now
- Your ticket will be linked to your Fan ID — the name on the ticket must match your ID at the gate
- Screenshot your ticket before leaving your hotel in case of poor mobile signal near the stadium
See our complete ticket buying guide and our ticket prices guide.
Match Day at a Glance — Quick Reference
| What | Advice |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Bolt only — book before you leave your hotel |
| Return transport | Book before kick-off, not after full time |
| Arrival time | 2 hours before kick-off at minimum |
| Journey time from Msasani | Allow 60–70 minutes on match day |
| Cash | Withdraw TZS before leaving your hotel area |
| Phone | Fully charged + power bank |
| Food | Eat before you go — stadium food is limited |
| After the match | Pre-book Bolt — go directly to Msasani |
| Safety | No walking near the stadium at night |
For accommodation near the fan zones and match day transport routes see our Dar es Salaam accommodation guide. For the complete AFCON 2027 fixture list see our fixtures guide. For all AFCON 2027 stadiums see our stadiums guide.
Stadium information sourced from Climb 4 Africa, The Football Finder, Airial Travel and verified visitor reviews, 2025–2026. Match day logistics based on Benjamin Mkapa Stadium regular season operations and CAF AFCON event standards. AFCON 2027-specific gate times, security protocols and food arrangements to be confirmed by CAF and local organisers closer to the tournament.