Ndumbaro confirms Dar, Zanzibar as venues for 2027 Afcon finals
Culture, Arts, and Sports minister Damas Ndumbaro (fourth from left) inspects the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium at Mbweni in Dar es Salaam recently. The venue will be used for training by countries competing in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be hosted by Tanzania. Second left is Tanzania Football Federation president Wallace Karia. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Besides Tanzania, the Afcon finals will also co-hosted by Kenya and Uganda, marking the first time the East African countries to stage the prestigious competition.
Dar es Salaam. A total of twenty venues in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha will be used for training sessions by countries competing in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) scheduled from June 9 to July 18.
This was revealed by Culture, Arts, and Sports minister Damas Ndumbaro, in an interview with The Citizen recently.
Besides Tanzania, the Afcon finals will also co-hosted by Kenya and Uganda, marking the first time the East African countries to stage the prestigious competition.
In Tanzania Mainland, according to the minister, matches will be held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the New Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha, and Dodoma Stadium in Dodoma (as an optional venue).
In Zanzibar, he said matches will take place at the New Amaan Sports Complex, listing the training venues in Dar es Salaam as Major General Isamuhyo, Dar es Salaam Gymkhana, Leaders Club, the Law School of Tanzania, and Tirdo at Msasani.
He said Arusha will also have five training grounds including the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, General Tyre, Ilboru Secondary School, AICC or Arusha Technical, and the New Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium.
In Dodoma, Ndumbaro said training grounds include the Jamhuri Stadium, Itumba, Hazina, Recreation Centre, and the University of Dodoma (UDOM).
According to the Zanzibar Football Federation’s report, Zanzibar's training grounds include the New Amaan Sports Complex, Suluhu Sports Academy, and Mao Tse Tung, which will host two training fields.
Ndumbaro explained that the venues will undergo renovations to meet the criteria set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
"All facilities required by CAF regulations will be installed in each training venue and will be ready by December next year,” he confirmed.
“Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government is committed to sports development, and all venues will be ready ahead of schedule. Some training grounds are already under renovation, while others will be completed according to our set timeline. This effort demonstrates our commitment to make this tournament a success.
“I have visited training grounds such as the Law School of Tanzania, Leaders, and Major Isamuhyo, which will also be used for the African Nations Championship (CHAN),” the minister added.
Venue construction timeline
Ndumbaro said the New Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium and the Dodoma Stadium will be ready by April 2026. The government will hand them over to CAF in June 2026, as required.
"We will complete the Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dodoma Stadiums a year before the tournament starts, showcasing our commitment to host this competition,” he said.
Why Dodoma Stadium will host Afcon matches
Ndumbaro noted that the Dodoma Stadium will host the Afcon final group stage games, which are typically played simultaneously.
“To accommodate this, one match from the Dar es Salaam group will be moved to Dodoma, and the same will apply to Arusha, Zanzibar, Nairobi, and Kampala. We also expect the Dodoma Stadium to be used in the top 16 stage, hosting several matches,” he said.
