Tanzania unveils plans for 30,000-capacity stadium in Arusha ahead of 2027 AFCON

Tanzania has announced plans to construct a 30,000-seat football stadium in Arusha, the country’s northern hub, in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The project was sealed in a deal between the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports and the China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG).

The stadium is slated to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda in June and July 2027.

At the signing ceremony, Damas Ndumbaro, Tanzania’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Sports, expressed his excitement about the project, envisioning the stadium as a multifaceted venue.

Upon completion, the stadium will not only host football matches but also accommodate commercial activities and official government ceremonies.

Ndumbaro highlighted the stadium’s potential to boost tourism in Arusha, a well-known safari destination. He noted that the stadium, inspired by Tanzanite and Mount Kilimanjaro, would become a new landmark for the city.

“Upon its completion, the stadium will not only hold football games but also commercial activities and official government ceremonies,” he said.

“It will continuously attract tourists to boost tourism in Arusha, also known as the safari capital,” he added.

The stadium, designed to meet the stringent standards of the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, will occupy 14.57 hectares of land. The design philosophy draws inspiration from Tanzanian symbols, with colours derived from the Tanzanian national flag.

Zhou Zejun, CRCEG’s chief engineer in East Africa, explained that the stadium’s architectural style is light and simple, perfectly integrating the local environment and culture.

“The stadium’s design inspiration comes from Tanzanite and Mount Kilimanjaro, while its colours stem from the Tanzanian national flag,” Zhou explained.

“The overall architectural style is light and simple, perfectly integrating the local environment and culture,” he added.