The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is poised to become the most profitable tournament in history as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania prepare to jointly host the continental showpiece for the first time. Board member of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa), Rogers Byamukama, predicts a record-breaking event, highlighting a guaranteed minimum of nine sold-out home games.
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Despite unique challenges associated with a tri-hosting arrangement, the shared spirit of ‘Pamoja’ (unity) drives the East African nations to make Afcon 2027 a powerful and highly marketable fan experience. The tournament will leverage existing transport links and the collective population of over 162 million people across the host countries.
To address the high cost implications of an expanded Afcon, the hosts are expected to make a joint deposit of $90 million to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) by January 15, 2025. This pre-paid guarantee aims to facilitate logistics around hotels, security, and VIP protection, minimizing the risk of potential challenges that led to previous hosting rights reallocations.
With stadium preparations underway, Uganda identifies the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala as the main venue, Kenya commits to the Talanta Stadium in Nairobi, and Tanzania showcases readiness with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
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Plans to construct new stadiums and the inclusion of Zanzibar in hosting further exemplify the collaborative effort and community bond among the East African nations.As anticipation builds, all eyes turn toward a transformative Afcon 2027, marking a significant milestone in African football history.