Landmark 2027 AFCON to Unite East Africa with Confirmed Tournament Dates

Following Morocco's triumphant organisation of the 2025 event, the 36th instalment will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, set to unfold from 19 June until 18 July.

This occasion will represent the debut joint effort by three East African countries to stage Africa's premier football spectacle, and the first such event in the CECAFA zone in 50 years, after Ethiopia managed it in 1976.

The tournament aligns with the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and it will serve as the concluding edition in odd years, in line with CAF's December 2025 declaration that AFCON will transition to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028.

Hoima Stadium Among Venues for Matches

The Uganda Local Organising Committee (LOC) has verified the schedule, noting that it has gained endorsement from the Confederation of African Football.

Dennis K. Mugimba, chairperson of the AFCON local communications and signage committee, additionally stated that Uganda's key venues will include Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, and Hoima City Stadium in Hoima City for the competition.

Kenya's suggested host locations comprise Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega. Tanzania anticipates hosting games in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, and Zanzibar.

Selecting these sites demonstrates a commitment to integrating established football facilities with aims for regional progress, while fostering greater national participation throughout the three partnering nations.

Releasing the dates occurs one week following the Kenyan authorities' actions to satisfy critical CAF stipulations related to the event's preparation.

Kenya confronted a 30 March cutoff to remit Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) as the hosting charge for the 2027 AFCON, amid cautions from CAF that the opportunity might slip away, though allies Tanzania and Uganda had already fulfilled their payments.

“I am pleased to announce the Government of Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as we steadily advance towards co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),” remarked Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya.

“In fulfilment of our commitments, the Government has remitted the requisite USD 30 million hosting fee to CAF, reaffirming Kenya’s credibility, readiness, and unwavering commitment to delivering a successful continental tournament.”

Uganda to Exempt Visitors from Visa Fees

Kenya proceeded to reform its Local Organising Committee (LOC), an initiative that Mvurya highlighted as a revitalised method to synchronise administrative resources with the extensive preparations demanded by an event of AFCON's stature.

The Ugandan authorities pledge to eliminate visa charges for every visitor entering Uganda over a minimum three-month span, commencing one month before the 2027 AFCON opener and extending one month beyond the decisive match.

The qualifying rounds for this edition occurred amid the March FIFA international window, seeing Burundi and Ethiopia, plus Somalia and Eritrea, secure advancement to the following qualification phase.

This AFCON arrangement builds on the trio of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania's collaborative staging of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) during February 2025. Morocco clinched the championship by defeating Madagascar 3-2 in the decider, marking their third CHAN victory within six years.