AFCON 2027 will be played across seven stadiums in three East African nations — Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The tournament represents the largest stadium infrastructure investment in East African history, with billions of shillings being spent on new builds and renovations across all three co-host nations. This guide covers every confirmed venue with verified capacity, construction status, location and what fans can expect on match day.
AFCON 2027 Stadiums — Complete Overview
| Stadium | City | Country | Capacity | Status | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Mkapa Stadium | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania 🇹🇿 | 60,000 | Renovating — 95% complete | Main venue — opening, knockouts |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium | Arusha | Tanzania 🇹🇿 | 30,000 | New build — 80%+ complete | Group stage |
| Amaan Stadium | Zanzibar City | Tanzania 🇹🇿 | 15,000 | Renovated — completed Dec 2023 | Group stage |
| Fumba Stadium (Maisara) | Zanzibar | Tanzania 🇹🇿 | 36,500 | New build — under construction | Group stage |
| Talanta Stadium (Raila Odinga) | Nairobi | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 60,000 | New build — 91% complete | Group stage, knockouts |
| Moi International Sports Centre | Nairobi | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 48,000 | Renovating | Group stage |
| Mandela National Stadium | Kampala | Uganda 🇺🇬 | 45,000 | Renovating | Group stage |
Tanzania Stadiums — Detailed Guide
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — Dar es Salaam
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is Tanzania’s flagship football venue, boasting a capacity of 60,000 seats and making it one of the largest stadiums in Africa. It is the centrepiece of AFCON 2027 and will host the tournament’s most high-profile matches including the opening ceremony and potentially the final.
Renovation status: Renovation works at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium have reportedly reached 95 per cent completion — a significant milestone given the venue’s role as the symbolic and operational centrepiece of Tanzania’s AFCON campaign.
The iconic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium was officially closed for six months to undergo major renovations. Stadium Manager Gabriel Maswele confirmed that the renovation works focus primarily on the playing surface and VVIP areas. The pitch is the top priority, with experts tasked to completely overhaul the turf to meet modern football standards. “We understand the importance of this facility to the nation, and we are committed to delivering a world-class venue that Tanzanians will be proud of,” Maswele said.
The current phase of work involves the total removal of the existing pitch and several layers of sub-soil to make way for a state-of-the-art hybrid grass system — a direct response to CAF’s demand for elite-level drainage and surface consistency that can withstand the intense tropical rains of the East African coast. The renovation is scheduled for completion by August 2026.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Miburani ward, Temeke District, Dar es Salaam |
| Capacity | 60,000 |
| Named after | Benjamin Mkapa — third President of Tanzania |
| Renovation completion | August 2026 (target) |
| Key upgrade | New hybrid pitch, VVIP areas, new seats |
| Government investment | TZS 179.8 billion allocated for stadium infrastructure |
| AFCON 2027 role | Opening match, group stage, knockout rounds, semi-final |
Getting there: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is in Temeke District — approximately 6km south of the city centre and 15km from the Msasani/Masaki hotel areas. Use Bolt or Uber exclusively. Do not walk from the Temeke area at night. Book your return ride before the final whistle. See our Dar es Salaam city guide for full transport instructions.
Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium — Arusha
The Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium is the most significant new sports infrastructure project in Tanzania’s history — a brand new 30,000-capacity arena built from scratch specifically for AFCON 2027. Named after President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, it represents the government’s commitment to East African football development.
Construction status: Construction of the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium has surpassed 80 per cent completion. Fresh site images reveal a massive transformation — the stadium’s dramatic exterior facade is designed to mirror the sharp geometric geometry of the rare Tanzanite gemstone, found exclusively in the Arusha region. The complex V-shaped canopy roof is now fully complete. Sections of the lower tiers are already seeing the installation of ergonomic stadium seats arranged in alternating blocks of bright green and clean white.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Olmoti Ward, Arusha |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Construction cost | $112 million USD (TZS 286 billion) |
| Contractor | China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) |
| Broke ground | 8 April 2024 |
| Completion target | Mid-2026 |
| Design inspiration | Tanzanite gemstone — unique to Arusha region |
| Field size | 105m × 68m |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage matches |
The facility will include event spaces, a museum and offices, ensuring it remains open to the community beyond match days.
Getting there: The stadium is in Olmoti Ward, Arusha — accessible by Bolt or hotel taxi from the town centre. The backdrop of Mount Meru and on clear days Mount Kilimanjaro makes this one of the most visually spectacular match-day settings of any AFCON 2027 venue. See our Arusha city guide for full details.
Amaan Stadium — Zanzibar City
Amaan Stadium is one of the most historically significant football venues in Africa. Built in 1970 with Chinese government aid, Amaan Stadium was China’s first stadium project in Africa — marking the beginning of what became known as “stadium diplomacy” across the continent. Over 50 years later it hosts AFCON 2027 matches in the historic heart of Stone Town.
Renovation status: The stadium underwent a major renovation completed in December 2023. Works included significantly enlarged stands on the curves, new plastic seats installed throughout, a new athletics track, new floodlighting masts and a completely new roof covering the entire auditorium. Two new sports halls and two auxiliary football pitches with small stands were also built around the stadium. The venue was inaugurated on 27 December 2023 with a speech by Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Zanzibar City (Stone Town area) |
| Capacity | 15,000 |
| Built | 1970 — China’s first stadium project in Africa |
| Renovation completed | December 2023 |
| Surface | GrassMaster |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage matches |
Getting there: Amaan Stadium is in Zanzibar City, accessible from Stone Town on foot or by bajaj. The stadium’s Stone Town setting makes attending a match here a unique cultural experience — the only AFCON 2027 venue within walking distance of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See our Zanzibar city guide for details.
Fumba / Maisara Sports Complex — Zanzibar
In September 2024 Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi laid the foundation stone for the Maisara Sports Complex. The project is directly linked to AFCON 2027 preparations with construction ongoing and aimed at completion before the tournament.
Tanzania has presented the Fumba Stadium in Zanzibar with a capacity of 36,500 as one of its AFCON 2027 venues. This new-build arena is the largest stadium on Zanzibar Island and the first major sports facility ever constructed there — a genuine legacy project for the archipelago.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Fumba / Maisara area, Zanzibar |
| Capacity | 36,500 |
| Budget | TZS 388.8 billion (Zanzibar AFCON City project) |
| Foundation stone | September 2024 |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage matches |
| Legacy | First major sports facility ever built on Zanzibar Island |
Kenya Stadiums — Detailed Guide
Talanta Stadium (Raila Odinga Stadium) — Nairobi
Kenya’s flagship AFCON 2027 venue is one of the most ambitious stadium projects ever undertaken in East Africa. Talanta Sports Stadium is located past Dagoretti Corner in the neighbourhood known as Jamhuri Grounds, along Ngong Road, approximately 10 kilometres west of the Nairobi central business district. The stadium has a planned capacity of 60,000 and is intended for football matches with no athletics track.
Kenya’s Talanta Stadium recently crossed the 91 per cent completion milestone and is scheduled for a complete handover by July 2026.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamhuri Grounds, Ngong Road, Nairobi |
| Capacity | 60,000 |
| Construction cost | $250 million USD |
| Contractor | China Road and Bridge Corporation |
| Broke ground | 31 March 2024 |
| Completion target | July 2026 |
| Surface | GrassMaster |
| Executive suites | 52 |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage and knockout matches |
Moi International Sports Centre — Nairobi
The 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) in Kasarani, Nairobi is one of Kenya’s designated match venues for AFCON 2027. One of East Africa’s most established international venues, MISC Kasarani has hosted major continental events for decades and is undergoing renovation to meet CAF 2027 standards.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kasarani, Nairobi |
| Capacity | 48,000 |
| Status | Renovating for AFCON 2027 |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage matches |
Uganda Stadiums — Detailed Guide
Mandela National Stadium — Kampala
Uganda’s main AFCON 2027 venue is the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala — also known as Namboole Stadium. With a capacity of 45,000 it is Uganda’s largest sporting arena and the home ground of the Uganda Cranes national team.
Key facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Namboole, Kampala, Uganda |
| Capacity | 45,000 |
| Status | Renovating for AFCON 2027 |
| AFCON 2027 role | Group stage matches |
CAF Stadium Requirements for AFCON 2027
Every AFCON 2027 stadium must meet CAF’s rigorous standards before receiving certification to host matches. CAF requirements include a modern natural grass pitch with proper drainage system, automatic irrigation and full maintenance equipment. Stadiums must be equipped with at least two high-definition giant screens, LED advertising boards installed around the pitch perimeter, and a professional public address system compliant with international standards. Lighting must be between 2,500 and 3,000 lux compliant with broadcast standards. Four player dressing rooms of equal size are required.
CAF inspectors are scheduled to conduct a readiness audit in late 2026. Match venues must reach a readiness threshold of 80 per cent by August 2026 to satisfy the continental governing body.
The Total Infrastructure Investment
AFCON 2027 is triggering the largest single sports infrastructure investment in East African history:
| Project | Country | Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium (Arusha) | Tanzania | $112 million |
| Benjamin Mkapa Stadium renovation | Tanzania | TZS 179.8 billion (~$68 million) |
| Fumba/Maisara Complex (Zanzibar) | Tanzania | TZS 388.8 billion (~$147 million) |
| Talanta Stadium (Nairobi) | Kenya | $250 million |
| Hoima City Stadium | Uganda | $131 million |
| Total (approximate) | East Africa | $587 million+ |
Over two million visitors are expected during the tournament. The infrastructure being built for AFCON 2027 will serve East African football and sports tourism for decades beyond the tournament itself.
Stadium Comparison — Fan Guide
| Stadium | Best for | Atmosphere | Ticket demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Mkapa (DSM) | Tanzania home matches, knockout rounds | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Electric | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan (Arusha) | Safari combo, mountain backdrop | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Very good | 🟡 High |
| Amaan (Zanzibar City) | Historic setting, Stone Town experience | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Unique | 🟡 Medium-High |
| Fumba/Maisara (Zanzibar) | Island football — never been done before | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Special | 🟡 High |
| Talanta (Nairobi) | Brand new state-of-the-art arena | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Very good | 🟡 High |
Ticket Information for AFCON 2027 Venues
Official AFCON 2027 ticket sales are expected to open between August and October 2026 via the CAF official portal at tickets.cafonline.com. Tanzania home matches at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will be the highest demand tickets in the tournament — book the moment official sales open.
For the complete ticket guide including prices in USD, TZS, KES and UGX visit our ticket prices guide. For buying advice and how to avoid touts see our full tickets guide.
For match day guides at each Tanzania venue — transport, fan zones, where to eat and what to expect — visit our complete city guides for Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar.
Stadium information sourced from Daily News Tanzania, The Citizen Tanzania, Wikipedia, StadiumDB and Pulse Sports Kenya. Construction completion percentages as of May/June 2026. All figures subject to change as construction continues. This page will be updated as new information is confirmed by CAF and host nation authorities.