AFCON 2027 Tanzania Travel Guide: Dates, Host Cities, Visas and Getting Around

By Elem Adventures Travel Experts · 2026-10-23 · 14 min read

Quick Answer

AFCON 2027 (the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, branded "PAMOJA 2027") is scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. It is the first time the tournament has ever been shared by three countries. In Tanzania, the proposed match cities are Dar es Salaam (Benjamin Mkapa Stadium), Arusha (the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium) and Zanzibar. Most visitors need a Tanzania e-Visa (around US$50 for most nationalities, US$100 for US citizens), and the three host countries are working on a joint fan visa that is not yet finalised. If you plan early, an AFCON trip to Tanzania can easily include a safari, a Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar beach break, because the tournament falls in the best weather of the year.

This guide is written by our team in Arusha, one of the host cities, and we will keep it updated as CAF confirms fixtures, tickets and visa rules.

AFCON 2027 at a Glance

"Pamoja" means together in Swahili, which fits a tournament shared across three neighbouring countries. Expect the word everywhere, from banners to fan zones. Our Swahili phrases for travellers will help you join in.

AFCON 2027 Dates and Tournament Schedule

CAF confirmed the June to July window in May 2026. The published phase dates are:

The full match-by-match fixture list, including which games are played in Tanzania, has not yet been released by CAF. Fixture lists you may see online are fan predictions, so do not book non-refundable travel around a specific match until CAF publishes the official schedule on cafonline.com.

Planning tip: the group stage lasts 12 days and each team plays three group matches, usually three to four days apart. That leaves real gaps between games, which is exactly when a short safari or day trip fits in.

Host Cities and Stadiums in Tanzania

Tanzania's venue line-up was still being finalised at the time of writing, and CAF inspects every stadium before confirming it. These are the venues proposed for Tanzania:

Dar es Salaam: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

Tanzania's national stadium and its largest, holding around 60,000 fans. Dar es Salaam is the country's biggest city and main international gateway through Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). Expect high-profile fixtures here, though CAF has not confirmed which matches.

Arusha: Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium

A brand-new stadium of roughly 30,000 seats, built specifically for AFCON 2027 and sometimes called the Arusha Pamoja stadium. Recent reports put construction above 80 percent complete in mid-2026. Arusha is the gateway to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, which makes it the most interesting base for fans who want to combine football and travel. Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from Arusha. See our JRO airport transfer guide.

Zanzibar: Amaan and Fumba Stadiums

Zanzibar has proposed two venues, the long-established Amaan Stadium near Stone Town and a newer stadium at Fumba. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same visa covers it. Read our AFCON 2027 Zanzibar guide for beach and Stone Town ideas between matches.

Dodoma, Tanzania's capital, is not expected to host matches.

Tickets: What We Know So Far

CAF has not yet announced how or when AFCON 2027 tickets will go on sale. For previous editions, tickets were sold through an official CAF ticketing platform, with group-stage seats released first and knockout tickets later.

• Only buy from official channels announced by CAF or the local organising committees. Ticket scams always appear before big tournaments.
• Never pay a stranger by mobile money or bank transfer for "guaranteed" tickets. Our guide to fraud in Tanzania explains common scams.
• Book travel with flexibility, such as refundable hotels or a tour operator who can move dates, until your match tickets are confirmed.

We will update this section as soon as official ticket information is released.

Visas for AFCON 2027

Tanzania e-Visa

Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania. The easiest option is the e-Visa, applied for online through the official portal at visa.immigration.go.tz before you travel.

• Cost: around US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa for most nationalities. US citizens pay around US$100 for a multiple-entry visa.
• Validity: typically up to 90 days, which comfortably covers the whole tournament.
• Processing: apply at least two to three weeks ahead. Demand will be very high in May and June 2027.
• Zanzibar: covered by the same Tanzania visa.

Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Our full Tanzania visa requirements guide explains every option.

The Planned Joint AFCON Visa

On 12 October 2026, East African Community officials announced at the Arusha stadium that Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are developing a joint visa for AFCON fans. The idea is a single document that lets supporters move between the three host countries during the tournament.

The joint visa is still being negotiated, and the final rules, price and launch date have not been published. Until it is officially confirmed:

• Plan as if you need a separate visa for each country you visit.
• If you will cross into Kenya or Uganda and come back to Tanzania, a single-entry Tanzania visa will not cover your return. Ask about a multiple-entry visa.
• Check official immigration websites rather than fan forums for the latest status.

How to Get to Tanzania for AFCON 2027

Tanzania has three main international airports, one for each host region:

Many international routes connect through hubs in the Gulf, Ethiopia, Kenya or Europe. Airfares to East Africa in June and July are already high-season prices, and the tournament will push demand higher, so book flights as early as you can.

Getting Between Host Cities

Most fans will move between Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar at least once. Here are the realistic options:

Domestic flights will sell out on match days. Book them as soon as fixtures are confirmed, and allow a buffer day around important matches. Our guide on how to get around Tanzania as a tourist covers buses, ferries and private transfers in more detail.

Weather During AFCON 2027

June and July are Tanzania's cool, dry season, the most comfortable time of year to visit.

• Arusha: pleasant days and cool evenings. Bring a fleece or light jacket for night matches. Arusha sits at about 1,400 metres above sea level.
• Dar es Salaam: warm and humid, but less sticky than the hot season.
• Zanzibar: sunny, breezy and warm, with calm seas on most days.
• Safari parks: dry, with thinner vegetation, so wildlife is easier to spot. This is also when the Great Migration moves through the northern Serengeti.

See our Tanzania weather guide for month-by-month detail.

Money, SIM Cards and Staying Connected

• Currency: the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). US dollars are widely accepted for tours, park fees and hotels. Bring clean, recent US dollar notes. Our Tanzania money guide explains cards, ATMs and cash.
• Mobile money: used everywhere in Tanzania for small payments.
• SIM cards: buy a local SIM with data at the airport or in town. You will need your passport to register it. Read our SIM card and internet guide.
• Power plugs: Tanzania mainly uses the UK-style three-pin plug. See electricity and plugs in Tanzania.

Health and Safety for Football Fans

• Yellow fever: a vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from, or transit through, a country with yellow fever risk.
• Malaria: present in much of Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Talk to a travel clinic about malaria tablets and use repellent in the evenings.
• Vaccinations: see our immunisations guide.
• Drinking water: drink bottled or filtered water. See is tap water safe in Tanzania.
• Crowds and valuables: stadium crowds are friendly, but keep phones and wallets secure in busy fan zones and on public transport.

Tanzania is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the region for visitors. Read is Tanzania safe for tourists for practical advice.

Turn Your AFCON Trip Into the Holiday of a Lifetime

The best thing about AFCON 2027 in Tanzania is the timing. The tournament lands right in the middle of peak season for safaris and Kilimanjaro, so you can watch world-class African football and see the Big Five on the same trip.

• Safari between matches: AFCON 2027 in Arusha: how to combine match days with a safari
• Climb Africa's highest mountain: climb Kilimanjaro during AFCON 2027
• Beach days: AFCON 2027 Zanzibar guide
• Short on time: day trips from Arusha for AFCON fans
• Planning a non-football holiday in June or July 2027: what AFCON means for safari prices and availability

AFCON 2027 Trip Planning Checklist

• Check your passport has at least six months of validity and two blank pages.
• Apply for your Tanzania e-Visa a few weeks before travel.
• Book international flights early. June and July are already peak season.
• Book domestic flights and hotels as soon as CAF publishes the fixtures.
• Buy match tickets only from official CAF channels.
• Get travel insurance that covers safaris, climbing if you plan to trek, and cancellations.
• See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure about vaccines and malaria.
• Pack a warm layer for evenings in Arusha and for any early-morning game drives.
• Plan your safari, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar extension so it fits around your matches.

Conclusion

AFCON 2027 is a once-in-a-generation chance to experience Africa's biggest football tournament in East Africa, at the best time of year to visit Tanzania. Fixtures, ticketing and the joint visa are still being finalised, so keep your plans flexible. Lock in the parts you can control early: your visa, flights and a trusted local operator.

Elem Adventures is based in Arusha, one of the host cities. Our team can build your AFCON trip around your matches, from airport pickup and stadium transfers to safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs and Zanzibar extensions. Contact us or request a quote and we will plan it with you.