AFCON 2027 Tanzania Host Cities - DSM, Arusha & Zanzibar

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Airport

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

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Time Zone

EAT — UTC+3

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Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) · ~2,500 TZS per USD

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Language

Swahili (official), English widely spoken

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Weather (Jun/Jul)

Tropical coastal — warm year-round. June/July: 23–28°C, low humidity, ideal conditions.

Stadiums & Venues

AFCON 2027 match venues in Dar es Salaam. All venues meet CAF Elite standards.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

📍 Msasani, Dar es Salaam

60,000

Capacity

Main Venue

Role

The flagship venue — Tanzania's largest and most famous stadium. Hosted the 2023 CECAFA Cup and multiple CAF qualifiers. Fully renovated for AFCON 2027 with new VIP areas, improved pitch drainage and expanded media facilities.

Main AFCON Venue

National Stadium (TBC)

📍 Dar es Salaam

45,000

Proposed

Group Stage

Role

Second DSM venue under final confirmation by CAF. Expected to host group stage and round of 16 matches. Renovation works ongoing through early 2027.

Under Confirmation

Areas & Neighbourhoods

Where to base yourself and what each area offers during AFCON 2027.

Msasani Peninsula

Fan Hub

Home to Slipway, upscale restaurants, beach bars and most international hotels. Closest area to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Where most visiting fans will base themselves.

Masaki

Upscale

Embassy district, five-star hotels, rooftop bars. Very safe, walkable and close to the stadium. Higher prices but excellent facilities.

City Centre / CBD

Budget-Friendly

Bustling commercial heart of DSM. Street food, local restaurants, cheaper hotels. Great for authentic experiences but more chaotic. 15-20 min to stadium.

Coco Beach

Beach & Fan Zones

Main public beach and fan zone location. Free entry for all match screenings. Street food, cold Kilimanjaro beer and a massive atmosphere on match days.

Mikocheni

Residential

Quieter residential area between CBD and Msasani. Good mid-range hotels and guesthouses. Popular with expats and business travellers.

Kariakoo

Market District

Dar's famous market district. Overwhelming but brilliant for authentic street food, local SIM cards, phone accessories and the true pulse of the city.

Getting Around

How to get to Dar es Salaam and move around during the tournament.

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From Airport

Julius Nyerere International (DAR) — 12km from city centre. Taxi: ~30 min, $15–25 USD. Bolt/Uber: ~$8–12. No direct bus to city centre yet. Book airport transfers in advance during tournament.

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Daladala (Minibus)

The local commuter minibus — extremely cheap (500–1,000 TZS) but crowded. Routes cover the entire city. Not recommended on match days due to overcrowding.

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Bolt / Uber

Both apps work well in DSM. Cheapest reliable option. Prices surge on match days — book 30–60 min before kick-off. Download both apps before arrival.

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Bajaj (Tuk-tuk)

Three-wheelers for short trips. Negotiate price first — should be 2,000–5,000 TZS for short hops. Fun for beach areas and local neighbourhoods.

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Ferry to Zanzibar

Fast ferry from Dar es Salaam port — 2 hours. Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries operate multiple daily crossings. Book in advance during tournament.

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Walking

Msasani Peninsula and Masaki are walkable between venues. City centre is walkable but hot. Always take water. Avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas.

Food & Drink

What to eat and drink in Dar es Salaam — from street food to sit-down restaurants.

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Grilled Nyama Choma

Braai / BBQ

Tanzania's national dish — slow-grilled goat or beef over charcoal. Found everywhere from roadside stalls to sit-down restaurants. Best paired with ugali (maize porridge) and kachumbari (fresh salsa).

💰 Street stall: ~3,000–6,000 TZS

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Pilau Rice

Street Food

Fragrant spiced rice cooked with meat, potatoes and East African spices. A Swahili coast staple with Omani and Indian influences. Extremely filling and cheap.

💰 500–2,000 TZS per serving

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Seafood Platter

Coastal Speciality

DSM sits on the Indian Ocean — the seafood is exceptional. Grilled octopus, lobster, prawns and fish at Slipway or Coco Beach. Order whatever arrived that morning.

💰 $10–30 at restaurants

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Zanzibar Coffee

Café Culture

Strong, spiced coffee served thick in tiny cups. Growing café scene in Masaki and Msasani with specialty coffee shops opening ahead of AFCON.

💰 2,000–5,000 TZS

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Street Food Walk

Local Markets

Kariakoo Market and ferry terminal area — samosas, mandazi (fried dough), mishkaki (skewered meat), sugarcane juice, coconut water. Best eaten at lunch.

💰 Snacks from 200 TZS

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Kilimanjaro Beer

Drinks

Tanzania's national lager — cold, crisp and everywhere. Serengeti Lager is the other popular local option. Both excellent in the coastal heat.

💰 2,000–4,000 TZS at a bar

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before and during your visit to Dar es Salaam.

Topic	Details
Visa	eVisa available for 55+ nations at visa.immigration.go.tz. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel. Cost: $50 USD single entry. Visa on arrival also available but queues are long during tournaments.
SIM Card	Vodacom, Airtel and Tigo all available at JNIA airport on arrival. Airtel and Tigo offer best data deals. Buy a local SIM — roaming is extremely expensive. 10GB data: ~$5–8.
Cash vs Card	Most restaurants and hotels accept Visa/Mastercard in Msasani and Masaki. Markets, daladale, street food — cash only. Keep TZS on you. ATMs at all major banks; use Stanbic or CRDB.
Safety	DSM is generally safe for tourists in tourist areas. Use Bolt/Uber rather than flagging taxis. Keep valuables out of sight. Coco Beach and Kariakoo — be aware of pickpockets in crowds.
Health	No mandatory vaccines for Tanzania. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country. Malaria risk — bring prophylaxis. Drink bottled/filtered water only.
Language	Swahili is the working language. Basic phrases go a long way: Habari (hello/how are you), Asante (thank you), Karibu (welcome). English widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
Weather (Jun/Jul)	Ideal tournament conditions. 23–28°C, low humidity after the long rains. Some evening showers possible. Light layers for evening. Sunscreen essential at matches.
Power	230V / Type D and G plugs. Bring a universal adapter. Power outages are possible — power banks recommended for match days.

Full Practical Guide →

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Airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — 46km

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Time Zone

EAT — UTC+3

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Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

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Language

Swahili, English, Maasai in rural areas

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Weather (Jun/Jul)

Highland climate — cooler and drier than coast. June/July: 15–25°C. Cool evenings, warm days. Pack a light jacket.

Stadiums & Venues

AFCON 2027 match venues in Arusha. All venues meet CAF Elite standards.

Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium

📍 Arusha City

30,000

Capacity

Group Stage

Role

Named in honour of Tanzania's President, this modernised stadium is the pride of northern Tanzania. Completed renovation in 2025 with new stands, improved pitch and floodlights meeting CAF Elite standards. Breathtaking backdrop of Mount Meru on clear days.

AFCON Group Stage

Areas & Neighbourhoods

Where to base yourself and what each area offers during AFCON 2027.

Arusha Town Centre

Hub

Compact, walkable city centre with the famous Clock Tower as the landmark midpoint between Cape Town and Cairo. Hotels, restaurants, banks, markets all within walking distance.

Haile Selassie Road

Upscale

The main tourist strip — international restaurants, rooftop bars, safari company offices and boutique hotels. Where most AFCON visitors will spend their evenings.

Sakina

Residential

Popular expat and NGO worker area. Good mid-range accommodation, quieter than centre but only 10-15 min walk. Increasingly popular with visitors.

Njiro

Modern Suburb

New commercial area with malls, supermarkets and modern hotels. Further from centre but excellent facilities. Good for families.

Arusha National Park

Day Trip

15km from city. Walking safaris with giraffe, zebra, buffalo and flamingo lakes. The only place near a host city where you can walk alongside wildlife.

Getting Around

How to get to Arusha and move around during the tournament.

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From Airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — 46km, 45–60 min. No public bus from JRO. Taxi: ~$30–40 USD. Arrange with your hotel in advance. Shuttle services from $10–15 run to Arusha town.

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Safari Shuttle

Shared shuttles connect Arusha with Moshi, Nairobi (4hr), Dar es Salaam (8hr) and Zanzibar (via DSM ferry). Riverside Shuttle and Impala Shuttle are reliable operators.

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Bolt / Taxi

Bolt works in Arusha but less available than DSM. Negotiate taxi fares in advance. Most journeys in town: 5,000–15,000 TZS. Agree price before getting in.

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Walking

Arusha town centre is very walkable — smaller and safer than DSM. Stadium is ~2km from centre. Easy walk or short bajaj ride.

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Safari Combo

AFCON in Arusha + a 2-day Serengeti safari is a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime combination. Book safari in advance — operators get full during peak season which overlaps with tournament.

Food & Drink

What to eat and drink in Arusha — from street food to sit-down restaurants.

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Nyama Choma

BBQ

Arusha has excellent nyama choma — try the local version with more aromatic spice rubs than coastal Tanzania. Best found on side streets off Haile Selassie Rd.

💰 5,000–15,000 TZS

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Maasai Meat Market

Local Experience

Early morning meat markets where Maasai herders sell fresh meat. A raw, authentic experience unique to northern Tanzania. Ask your hotel to point you to the nearest one.

💰 Market prices

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Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Cultural Experience

Arusha has a significant East African diaspora population. Multiple Ethiopian restaurants serve the traditional three-round coffee ceremony with popcorn. Unmissable.

💰 5,000–10,000 TZS

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International Restaurants

Tourist Strip

Haile Selassie Road has a surprisingly good international dining scene — Italian, Indian, Lebanese, burgers. Prices are higher than local spots but quality is consistent.

💰 $8–20 per person

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Mamantilie

Street Food

Local lunch staple — a thick maize or millet porridge with meat or bean stew. Extremely filling, very cheap, utterly delicious. Best found at local lunch spots off the main road.

💰 1,000–3,000 TZS

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before and during your visit to Arusha.

Topic	Details
Altitude	Arusha sits at 1,400m above sea level — noticeably cooler than coastal Tanzania. You may feel slightly breathless on arrival. Take it easy on day one, especially if coming from sea level.
Safari Booking	Book safari and wildlife excursions before you arrive — tournament period will see high demand. Reputable operators: Shadows of Africa, Roy Safaris, Leopard Tours. Get written confirmations.
SIM Card	Available in town centre. Airtel has good coverage in northern Tanzania including national parks. Buy a local SIM immediately after arrival.
Safety	Arusha is generally safe in tourist areas. Haile Selassie Road area is well-lit and patrolled. Avoid late night walks away from tourist areas. Petty theft exists — keep valuables secure.
Weather (Jun/Jul)	Peak dry season — ideal safari and match conditions. Warm days (22–26°C), cool evenings (12–16°C). Pack a fleece or light jacket for nights. Zero chance of rain during tournament.
ATMs	Standard Chartered and CRDB ATMs in town centre accept international cards. Carry enough cash as some areas are ATM-free. USD also widely accepted.

Full Practical Guide →

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Airport

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

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Time Zone

EAT — UTC+3

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Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) · USD widely accepted

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Language

Swahili (Kiunguja dialect), English, Arabic

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Weather (Jun/Jul)

Tropical island — warm year-round. June/July: 24–29°C, ocean breeze, low humidity. Perfect beach weather.

Stadiums & Venues

AFCON 2027 match venues in Zanzibar. All venues meet CAF Elite standards.

Amaan Stadium

📍 Zanzibar City

15,000

Capacity

Renovating

Role

Historic stadium in the heart of Zanzibar City, undergoing full renovation for AFCON 2027 including new stands, improved pitch and CAF-certified floodlights. Expected completion: March 2027. Will host group stage matches.

Renovating for AFCON

Maisara Sports Complex

📍 Zanzibar (New Build)

25,000

Capacity

Under Construction

Role

Brand new stadium being purpose-built for AFCON 2027 — the first major sports facility built on Zanzibar Island. Modern design incorporating Swahili coastal architecture. Will be Zanzibar's largest sporting venue on completion.

New AFCON Build

Areas & Neighbourhoods

Where to base yourself and what each area offers during AFCON 2027.

Stone Town

UNESCO Heritage

The ancient heart of Zanzibar — narrow winding alleys, carved wooden doors, Arab-Omani architecture and the House of Wonders. A genuine UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk everywhere. Budget 2 full days minimum.

Nungwi

North Beach

The most popular beach — long white sand, turquoise water, full beach bar and resort scene. 1 hour from Stone Town. Busiest at sunset. Great snorkelling off the beach.

Kendwa

Calm Beach

Just south of Nungwi — calmer, less crowded, famous for its full moon parties. Better swimming than Nungwi. More relaxed atmosphere.

Paje

Kite Beach

East coast — consistent trade winds make it East Africa's best kitesurfing spot. Long shallow lagoon at low tide. More budget-friendly than north coast resorts.

Matemwe

Remote North-East

Quiet, beautiful, largely undeveloped. Matemwe Beach sits opposite Mnemba Atoll — the best snorkelling and diving in Tanzania. Perfect for non-match days.

Jambiani

Village Beach

Traditional fishing village on the east coast. Authentic Zanzibar life — seaweed farmers, dhow builders, simple guesthouses and brilliant local food. The real Zanzibar.

Getting Around

How to get to Zanzibar and move around during the tournament.

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By Air

Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) — 6km from Stone Town. Flights from DSM (25 min), Nairobi, Mombasa, Addis Ababa and some direct European routes. Many visitors fly in for the full tournament.

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By Ferry

Fast ferry from Dar es Salaam — 2 hours. Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries. Multiple crossings daily. Book in advance during tournament period. Far cheaper than flying.

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Dala-dala & Taxi

Local minibuses (dala-dala) cover main routes cheaply. Fixed-price taxis for tourist routes — agree price before. Stone Town to north beaches: $20–30 USD.

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Scooter Rental

Popular and practical for getting around the island. $15–25/day. International driving licence required technically. North coast to east coast via spice farms is a brilliant half-day loop.

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Dhow Trips

Traditional wooden sailing boats — rent for snorkelling, sunset trips or island hopping. Essential Zanzibar experience. Negotiate at Stone Town waterfront or through your hotel.

Food & Drink

What to eat and drink in Zanzibar — from street food to sit-down restaurants.

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Forodhani Night Market

Must Do

Stone Town's famous waterfront food market — opens every evening at sunset. Grilled octopus, lobster, Zanzibar pizza, fresh juice, mishkaki. Extremely cheap. Unmissable on any visit to Zanzibar.

💰 500–5,000 TZS per dish

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Zanzibar Pizza

Street Food

Not Italian pizza — a local specialty of thin dough stuffed with egg, meat, cheese or Nutella and folded like a crepe. Only found in Zanzibar. Multiple vendors at Forodhani. Try one of each.

💰 2,000–4,000 TZS

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Pilau & Biryani

Swahili Coast

Arab-influenced spiced rice dishes unique to the Zanzibar coast. The spice trade made Zanzibar the flavour capital of East Africa. Try at local restaurants away from tourist areas for best quality.

💰 2,000–6,000 TZS

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Fresh Coconut & Juice

Refreshment

Coconut water from the tree at 500 TZS. Fresh sugar cane juice and tropical fruit juices everywhere. The best way to rehydrate after beach or match days.

💰 500–2,000 TZS

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Grilled Octopus

Seafood

Zanzibar octopus is internationally famous — harvested by local women seaweed farmers and grilled over charcoal. Jambiani village has the best. Order it with tamarind sauce.

💰 $5–15 depending on size

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Zanzibar Spice Coffee

Experience

Coffee brewed with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger — a direct result of the spice trade heritage. Try on a spice farm tour or at the Forodhani market.

💰 1,000–3,000 TZS

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before and during your visit to Zanzibar.

Topic	Details
Getting Around	Zanzibar is an island — plan your base carefully. Stone Town for history and matches. North coast for beach. East coast for budget and kite surfing. Moving between coasts takes 45–90 min on variable roads.
Dress Code	Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town as a basic courtesy. Swimwear on beaches only. Zanzibar is tolerant and welcoming but respectful dress is appreciated.
Spice Tour	Half-day spice farm tours are one of the best things to do on Zanzibar. Learn why this island changed world cuisine. $15–25 USD including transport. Book through your hotel.
Diving & Snorkelling	World-class — especially Mnemba Atoll (dolphins, turtles, reef fish, whale sharks seasonal). One Marine and dive operators in Nungwi. PADI certification courses available if you want to learn during the tournament break.
Water	Only drink bottled or filtered water. This is non-negotiable on Zanzibar. Available everywhere for 500–1,000 TZS per 500ml.
Weather (Jun/Jul)	Post-long-rains, pre-short-rains. Best time of year — warm, clear and breezy. Ideal for beach and outdoor matches. Some mornings may have cloud cover but afternoons are reliably sunny.
Power Cuts	Load shedding is more common in Zanzibar than mainland. Power banks essential. Most hotels have generators. Charge your phone whenever you have power.

Full Practical Guide →