Arusha must turn AFCON dream into a lasting football legacy

ARUSHA: ARUSHA is getting closer to welcoming Africa’s football family. But as construction of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium approaches completion, a bigger question deserves attention: what will the city have to show for hosting the continent’s premier football tournament once the final whistle blows?

The reported 95 per cent completion rate is encouraging news for Tanzania’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host with Kenya and Uganda. Yet, completing the stadium should mark the beginning of a bigger ambition, not the end of the project.

For Arusha, AFCON presents an opportunity to build more than a venue for international football. It offers a chance to strengthen the city’s sporting identity, stimulate business, attract visitors and create better opportunities for the next generation of footballers.

The challenge is ensuring these benefits do not disappear when the tournament ends. Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), during an inspection visit led by Speaker Joseph Ntakarutimana and East African Community Council of Ministers Chairperson Rebecca Kadaga, commended progress on the project.

Engineers overseeing construction assured the delegation that work was progressing towards timely completion.

Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, expressed confidence that the three host countries would deliver a tournament meeting international standard. Such confidence is welcome.

However, the measure of success must go beyond construction milestones and assurances.

A world-class tournament depends on an entire network of supporting services, including reliable transport, adequate accommodation, security, medical facilities, communications and effective crowd management.

Weaknesses in any of these areas could undermine the experience of players, officials and supporters, regardless of how impressive the stadium looks. Arusha must approach AFCON as a citywide development opportunity.

Its proximity to major tourist attractions gives it an advantage in connecting football with tourism and hospitality.

Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies and small traders could benefit from the arrival of visiting supporters, journalists, sponsors and officials.

But these opportunities will not automatically translate into income and employment. Local businesses need timely information, adequate preparation and opportunities to participate in the economic activity generated by the tournament.

City authorities and other stakeholders should begin coordinating these efforts well ahead of 2027. The goal should be to ensure that local communities benefit from hosting the tournament rather than simply witnessing the activity around it.

The reported 95 per cent completion rate represents an important milestone, but the remaining work deserves the same attention as the progress already made. A stadium’s readiness cannot be judged by its physical appearance alone.

Pitch quality, floodlighting, player facilities, spectator amenities, media operations, emergency access and security arrangements must meet the applicable requirements.

Relevant football authorities must assess the venue and identify any outstanding work before it hosts major matches. Construction, testing and operational preparations must be carefully coordinated to avoid last-minute difficulties.

Tanzania must pursue two goals together: complete the stadium on schedule and ensure it is fully fit for purpose. Transparency is equally important.

Regular, credible updates on construction, expenditure, outstanding tasks and readiness assessments would help the public understand how the project is progressing and whether the necessary standards are being met.

Accountability should not be treated as an obstacle to national ambition. It is part of delivering that ambition successfully.

The tournament is also an opportunity for Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to demonstrate what regional cooperation can achieve.

Co-hosting AFCON requires much more than distributing matches between countries. It demands coordination on transport, security, accommodation, communications, travel arrangements and the movement of teams, officials and supporters across borders.

The three governments must plan together, address potential challenges early and communicate clearly with visitors and participating teams.

A well-organised tournament could strengthen East Africa’s reputation as a destination for major international sporting events. Poor coordination, on the other hand, could weaken the region’s credibility.

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Arusha can contribute to this regional ambition by developing experience in event management and hospitality.

The East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games, scheduled for December 4–16 this year, also offer an opportunity to promote solidarity among legislators from member states through sport.

Such events can help build organisational experience, although AFCON’s scale and demands will require much broader preparations.

Ultimately, the tournament should be a demonstration of regional capability, not merely a celebration of three countries securing hosting rights. Major sporting facilities can become expensive burdens when planning stops at construction and event delivery.

Without reliable funding, professional management and a clear programme of use, even an impressive stadium risks losing its value over time.

Tanzania should establish a sustainable operating model for Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium before the tournament begins.

The plan should address maintenance, staffing, operating costs, revenue generation and public accountability. The facility should remain active through domestic league matches, regional competitions, training programmes and community sporting activities.

Suitable non-sporting events could provide additional income where they are commercially viable and compatible with protecting the playing surface and other facilities. More importantly, the stadium must contribute to football development. Young players need more than a good pitch on which to play.

They need qualified coaches, competitive grassroots leagues, talent identification programmes, properly organised academies and pathways to higher levels of the game. Referees, administrators and other football professionals also need opportunities to develop their skills.

If these investments accompany the stadium, Arusha could help nurture talent and strengthen the wider football ecosystem.

If they do not, the city may end up with an impressive venue but miss the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the sport. The same principle applies nationally and regionally.

AFCON 2027 should be a catalyst for stronger football structures, not an isolated spectacle. The positive assessment by the EALA delegation is a welcome sign of progress.

However, the next phase must be defined by measurable results, careful oversight and practical preparation.

For Arusha, AFCON should be an opportunity to connect international football with local development. For Tanzania, it should strengthen the country’s capacity to organise major events while improving opportunities for players and communities.

For East Africa, it should demonstrate that regional cooperation can produce benefits extending beyond the tournament itself.

The reported 95 per cent completion is an encouraging milestone, but construction progress is only one measure of success.

The real triumph will come when the crowds have departed, the tournament has ended and Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium is still developing footballers, supporting businesses and bringing communities together. That is the legacy Arusha must begin building today.