AFCON 2027 dates In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania confirmed

By Eyong Macdella
Journalist,kick442.com-Cameroon

Fans across Africa can now mark their calendars for the continent’s biggest football showpiece after Uganda’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) in accordance with the Confederation of African Football, confirmed the official dates for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday, April 7, ending months of speculation.

According to Uganda’s LOC, the tournament will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027, giving teams and supporters a whole year plus, to prepare for what promises to be a landmark edition of Africa’s biggest football event.

AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time three East African nations will jointly host the tournament.

This upcoming 36th edition will equally mark the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.

While Tanzania has showcased the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Samia Suluhu Stadium in Arusha, and the Fumba and Amaan stadiums in Zanzibar as host venues, Kenya has proposed the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani and the to-be-ready Talanta Sports City as its venues.

Uganda’s proposed venues include Hoima City Stadium, the Mandela National Stadium and Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

Kenya in particular still has some amendments to make after the Confederation of African Football raised serious concerns regarding the stadium preparations, saying none of Kenya’s proposed venues currently meet the standards required to host the tournament after inspections.

Kenya however reaffirmed its commitment to hosting the tournament last week after completing payment of the required KSh3.9 billion( about $30 million) hosting fee, to avoid the risk of losing its hosting rights over non-payment by meeting with the deadline.

As usual, 24 teams will participate in the final next year to contest the title as qualifiers begin later this year. It is left to see whether CAF will implement the addition of teams during the next edition following announcement of a possible increment by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, to 28 teams.