AFCON 2027 in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will need thousands of volunteers across seven stadiums and six cities. Whether you are based in East Africa or travelling from abroad, volunteering for AFCON 2027 is one of the most extraordinary ways to be part of the tournament — working inside the venues, supporting fans from 55+ countries and earning official CAF certification. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to apply, what roles are available and when the programme opens.
Has the AFCON 2027 Volunteer Programme Opened Yet?
As of July 2026 the official AFCON 2027 volunteer programme has not yet been announced by CAF or the three Local Organising Committees (LOCs) for Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Based on the AFCON 2025 precedent, the programme is expected to open approximately 9 to 12 months before the tournament — meaning applications could open between July and September 2026.
Where to apply when it opens: volunteers.cafonline.com — this is the official CAF volunteer portal used for AFCON 2025 and expected to be used for AFCON 2027.
What Volunteers Receive
Based on the AFCON 2025 volunteer programme, confirmed benefits for AFCON 2027 volunteers are expected to include:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Official training | CAF-led training programme before the tournament begins |
| Uniform | Official AFCON 2027 volunteer kit — worn during all duties |
| Certification | Official CAF certificate of participation — recognised for CV and career development |
| Alumni network access | CAF-led network connecting volunteers for skills development and future opportunities |
| Tournament access | Access to assigned venues and matches during your volunteer shifts |
| Experience | Working inside one of the world’s great continental football championships |
CAF has stated that the volunteer initiative is not only critical to the smooth running of the competition but also part of a wider ambition to create a generation of highly skilled event professionals across Africa.
What Roles Are Available
Based on AFCON 2025, volunteer roles at AFCON 2027 are expected to cover five main operational areas:
| Role area | What you do | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Media Services | Supporting broadcast teams, press operations and media centre management | Journalism, communications, media students |
| Spectator Management | Crowd flow, gate management, seating assistance and fan safety inside stadiums | Event management, sports administration |
| Accreditation | Processing credentials for officials, teams, media and VIPs at entry points | Detail-oriented, organised individuals |
| Hospitality | VIP lounges, hospitality suites, delegation support and protocol | Hospitality, tourism, language skills |
| Fan Experience | Fan zones, information points, welcome desks and general visitor assistance | Outgoing personality, multilingual preferred |
Who Can Apply
- Age: Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to be part of the volunteer programme.
- Nationality: Applications are open to all nationalities — you do not need to be Tanzanian, Kenyan or Ugandan
- Location: You must be able to travel to and be present in one of the host cities during your assigned shifts — accommodation and transport are typically the volunteer’s own responsibility
- Language: English and Swahili are the working languages in Tanzania — French and Arabic language skills are a significant advantage for fan-facing roles given the North and West African fan demographics
- Commitment: Volunteers are expected to complete all assigned shifts and attend the required training sessions before the tournament
Where AFCON 2027 Volunteers Will Be Deployed
AFCON 2027 is the first edition to be co-hosted by three nations across seven stadiums. Volunteers will be assigned to specific venues and cities:
| Country | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Dar es Salaam | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium (60,000) |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Arusha | Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium (30,000) |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Zanzibar | Fumba City Stadium (36,500) |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Zanzibar | Amaan Stadium (15,000) |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | Nairobi | Talanta Stadium / Raila Odinga International (60,000) |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | Nairobi | Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani (48,000) |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda | Kampala | Mandela National Stadium (45,000) |
Volunteers based in Tanzania will likely have the most placement options given Tanzania is the lead co-host with four venues. Volunteers with experience in Arusha — such as those connected to international organisations, universities or the tourism sector — are particularly well positioned for the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium deployment.
How to Maximise Your Application
The AFCON 2025 volunteer programme received significantly more applications than available places. To give yourself the best chance:
- Apply as early as possible — applications for AFCON 2025 closed on 8 October 2025 for a December tournament. Expect a similar window for AFCON 2027. Early applications are processed first.
- Highlight relevant experience — event coordination, hospitality, tourism, stadium stewarding, sports administration or any international event experience strengthens your application
- Language skills matter — English, Swahili, French and Arabic are all valuable. North African fans (Algerian, Moroccan, Egyptian) and West African fans (Nigerian) will make up a significant portion of AFCON 2027 attendance
- Be specific about your preferred role — knowing which operational area you want to work in shows commitment and helps CAF match you to the right position
- Express knowledge of the tournament — understanding the groups, host cities and tournament structure makes you a stronger fan experience or media volunteer candidate
Contact the Local Organising Committees Directly
Beyond the official CAF volunteer portal, the three national LOCs are also expected to run their own volunteer and engagement programmes:
- Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) — tff.or.tz — the lead host LOC. Contact TFF directly to express your interest before the official programme opens.
- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) — fkf.co.ke — Kenya’s LOC. Especially relevant for volunteers wanting to be deployed in Nairobi.
- Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) — fufa.co.ug — Uganda’s LOC for Kampala deployment.
Reaching out to national federations now — before the official programme opens — demonstrates genuine commitment and ensures your name is known to the right people when the process begins.
Expected Timeline
| Date | Expected milestone |
|---|---|
| July–September 2026 | Official volunteer programme announcement expected from CAF |
| Late 2026 | Applications open at volunteers.cafonline.com |
| Early 2027 | Application window closes — shortlisting begins |
| March–May 2027 | Successful applicants notified — training programme begins |
| June 2027 | Volunteers deployed to venues ahead of tournament opening |
| 19 Jun – 17 Jul 2027 | AFCON 2027 tournament — volunteer duties active |
All dates are based on AFCON 2025 precedent and are subject to official confirmation by CAF and the three LOCs. This page will be updated immediately when the official AFCON 2027 volunteer programme is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AFCON 2027 volunteer programme open yet?
Not yet as of July 2026. The programme is expected to open later in 2026. Register your interest with TFF, FKF and FUFA in the meantime.
Do I need to be from Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda to volunteer?
No. The AFCON volunteer programme is open to anyone over 18 from any country who can travel to and be present in a host city during their assigned shifts.
Is the AFCON 2027 volunteer programme paid?
No — volunteering is unpaid. Volunteers receive training, uniform, certification and tournament access but not a salary. Accommodation and travel costs are typically the volunteer’s own responsibility.
Where do I apply for AFCON 2027 volunteering?
When the programme opens, apply at volunteers.cafonline.com — the official CAF volunteer portal.
How many volunteers will AFCON 2027 need?
Not yet confirmed. AFCON 2025 in Morocco required over 4,000 volunteers across nine stadiums. With AFCON 2027 spread across three countries and seven stadiums, the number is likely to be higher.
For the complete AFCON 2027 tournament guide see our dates and schedule guide. For all stadiums see our stadiums guide. For tickets see our tickets guide.
Volunteer programme information based on AFCON 2025 official CAF announcement (September 2025) and Inside World Football reporting. AFCON 2027 volunteer programme not yet officially announced as of July 2026. All timeline estimates based on AFCON 2025 precedent. This page will be updated immediately when CAF makes the official announcement. National federation contact details current as of July 2026.