AFCON 2027 hosts face a deadline to turn construction into readiness

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have less than nine months to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for 19 June to 17 July. A Confederation of African Football delegation spent eight days inspecting facilities across the three countries in September, including stadiums, training grounds, hotels, airports, transport, safety, media and logistics.

In Kenya, Kasarani’s pitch is expected to be completed by the end of October, with handover planned for December, according to local organising committee chairman Nicholus Musonye. The new Talanta Sports International Stadium is intended as the country’s flagship venue. Reporting also identifies concerns about training grounds and work still required at other venues, including Nyayo Stadium and Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

Tanzania’s organising committee says stadiums are more than 80 per cent complete on average, with handovers expected in January. Training facilities are about 75 per cent complete, according to committee chief executive Neema Msitha. Road works and transport links are also part of the preparations.

In Uganda, CAF infrastructure monitoring officer Patrick Ogwel said Hoima City Stadium had been completed and commissioned, while Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium was due for completion and commissioning by December. The organising committee expects 10 of 12 training facilities to be ready by year-end, with some sites scheduled for January 2027.

The reported completion figures and deadlines come from officials and organising committees. The inspection process has not produced a final CAF readiness determination in the reporting, and the tournament’s demands extend beyond construction to the coordinated operation of venues, transport, hospitality, broadcasting and match services.