All you need to know about 2027 AFCON

THE 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya marks a historic milestone as the first-ever edition of the tournament to be jointly organized by three nations.

Scheduled to take place in June and July 2027, this will be the 36th edition of Africa’s premier football competition, bringing together the continent’s top national teams to compete for glory.

Notably, this will be the first AFCON in five decades to be held in the CECAFA (East and Central African) region since Ethiopia last hosted the event in 1976.

The tournament will be played across a total of 10 cities, with each of the host nations contributing stadiums to ensure a wide geographical spread. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda initially proposed two cities each, but it is expected that the competition will expand to include a tenth city.

In Kenya, Nairobi will play a central role, featuring three key stadiums: the newly built Talanta Sports Stadium with a 60,000-seat capacity, as well as the Moi International Sports Centre (55,000) and Nyayo National Stadium (30,000). Kakamega and Eldoret will also serve as host cities, with Bukhungu Stadium (25,000) and Kipchoge Keino Stadium (15,000) respectively.

Tanzania’s contributions will include Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, and new venues such as the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium (30,000) in Arusha and Dodoma Stadium (32,000).

Zanzibar will host matches at the New Amaan Complex, which holds 15,000 spectators. Uganda will also bring new stadiums into the fold, with Hoima Sports Stadium (20,000), Akii Bua Stadium in Lira (20,000), and Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium (45,202) all set to welcome thousands of fans.

This joint hosting is an ambitious step forward for African football, promising not only an exciting tournament but also a legacy of improved infrastructure and international cooperation within the region.