AFCON 2027: is East Africa ready to host Africa's biggest football tournament?

For the first time, three countries will jointly host the Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, bidding together as "Pamoja", will stage the 24-team tournament from 19 June 2027 to mid-July. Reported end dates differ, 17 or 18 July, so check the final fixture list from CAF. It is the first AFCON in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.

Kenya's venues

• Raila Odinga International Stadium, Nairobi (formerly Talanta Stadium): a new 60,000-seat stadium and the centrepiece of Kenya's bid. It opens on 5 January 2027 with Bayern Munich against Ajax.
• Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani: pitch work was due by the end of October 2026, with handover planned for December.

In September 2026, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said construction had reached 95% of the original design, above the 80% target CAF had set for August. CAF inspectors were reported to be satisfied with the new stadium, but asked for extra work such as a larger media tribune and press conference room.

The three hosts at a glance

What to watch

1. Training grounds. Each team needs a training base near its matches, and these have lagged behind the stadiums.
2. Hotels, airports and roads, which CAF also inspects.
3. What happens after the final. The lasting value of new stadiums depends on how often they are used once the tournament leaves.