The clock is ticking down to December 21 when the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2025) kicks off across several Moroccan cities.
Uganda are locked in, with high-stakes Group C encounters against Tunisia on December 23, Tanzania four days later and Nigeria wrapping up the pool action.
The Cranes will be based in Rabat for their group fixtures, with the rest of the continent contingent spread across other Moroccan host cities – each offering its own atmosphere, conditions and logistical quirks.
From coastal stadiums to high-altitude arenas inland, Afcon 2025 is stretching the tournament footprint wider than ever.
Here’s where everyone else will be stationed or play their matches as the competition kicks off. All kick-off times in East Africa Time (EAT).
RABAT – Cranes, Group C royal getaway and more
Venue 1: Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah
Capacity: 69,500
City: Rabat
An iconic venue seven kilometres from Rabat centre, it was inaugurated in September after 2000, 2014 and 2023 renovations. Home to Morocco’s national team, it hosted Afcon 1988, Fifa Club World Cups 2014/2022, 2019 African Games, and 2022 Women’s Afcon.
Matches (EAT)
December 21: Morocco vs Comoros – 22:00
December 26: Morocco vs Mali – 23:00
December 29: Zambia vs Morocco – 22:00
January 4: R16 – 1st Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E – 19:00
January 9: QF – Winner 40 vs Winner 39 – 22:00
January 14: SF – Winner 47 vs Winner 46 – 23:00
January 18: Final – Winner 49 vs Winner 50 – 22:00
Venue 2: Stade Annexe Olympique Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (Home to Uganda’s Group C)
Capacity: 21,000
City: Rabat
Completed in nine months and inaugurated May 2025, it features World Athletics-certified 400m track, natural grass pitch, crescent roof, advanced LED lighting, underground parking, cryotherapy rooms, VIP lounges, and an on-site TV studio.
Matches (EAT)
December 23: Tunisia vs Uganda – 23:00
December 27: Benin vs Botswana – 15:30
December 30: Tanzania vs Tunisia – 19:00
Venue 3: Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan
Capacity: 22,000
City: Rabat
Built on FUS Rabat site with no athletics track; glazed terracotta façade inspired by Berber motifs for natural ventilation. Includes five levels with VIP boxes, lounges, media zones, command centres, and optimised crowd flow.
Matches (EAT)
December 24: Algeria vs Sudan – 18:00
December 28: Algeria vs Burkina Faso – 20:30
December 31: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – 19:00
January 6: R16 – Winner Group E vs 2nd Group D – 19:00
Venue 4: Stade El Barid
Capacity: 18,000
City: Rabat
In Agdal District, home to Union Touarga SC; it features natural grass pitch, VVIP/VIP areas, media stands, and landscaped forecourts with shops and dining. Minimalist style with a sunken pitch for excellent sightlines.
Matches (EAT)
December 23: DR Congo vs Benin – 15:30
December 27: Uganda vs Tanzania – 20:30
December 30: Botswana vs DR Congo – 22:00
January 4: R16 – 2nd Group B vs 2nd Group F – 22:00
CASABLANCA
Venue: Stade Mohammed V
Capacity: 67,000
City: Casablanca
In MaSrif District, it opened in 1955 and IS nicknamed ‘Donor’. It has hosted Morocco’s greatest football moments and top African competitions, drawing massive crowds for eight Afcon 2025 matches in its historic bowl.
Matches (EAT)
December 22: Mali vs Zambia – 17:00
December 24: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea – 15:30
December 26: Zambia vs Comoros – 20:30
December 28: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan – 18:00
December 29: Comoros vs Mali – 22:00
December 31: Sudan vs Burkina Faso – 19:00
January 3: R16 – 2nd Group A vs 2nd Group C – 22:00
January 17: Third-Place Play-Off – 19:00
AGADIR
Venue: Grand Stade D’agadir
Capacity: 45,480
City: Agadir
On the Atlantic coast and inaugurated October 2013; it’s a modern landmark of Moroccan football with ocean breezes, blending high-energy stands and elite facilities for coastal drama in Afcon 2025.
Matches (EAT)
December 22: Egypt vs Zimbabwe – 23:00
December 24: Cameroon vs Gabon – 23:00
December 26: Egypt vs South Africa – 18:00
December 28: Gabon vs Mozambique – 15:30
December 29: Angola vs Egypt – 19:00
December 31: Mozambique vs Cameroon – 22:00
January 5: R16 – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D – 19:00
January 10: QF – Winner 41 vs Winner 44 – 22:00
FES – Cranes final group clash versus Nigeria
Venue: Complexe Sportif De Fes
Capacity: 45,000
City: Fes
On Fes-Sefrou road and completed in 2003 after 1992 planning; it fuses traditional Moroccan zellige-tiled arches with modern VIP boxes, media towers, and tiered stands for pitchside intensity and historic energy.
Matches (EAT)
December 23: Nigeria vs Tanzania – 20:30
December 27: Nigeria vs Tunisia – 23:00
December 29: Uganda vs Nigeria – 19:00
January 5: R16 – Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F – 22:00
MARRAKECH
Venue: Grand Stade De Marrakech
Capacity: 45,240
City: Marrakech
Located 11km north of the city centre, this premier sports complex combines modern design with versatility for football and athletics, offering world-class facilities and a vibrant atmosphere for competitions.
Matches (EAT)
December 22: South Africa vs Angola – 20:00
December 24: Côte d’Ivoire vs Mozambique – 20:30
December 26: Angola vs Zimbabwe – 15:30
December 28: Côte d’Ivoire vs Cameroon – 23:00
December 29: Zimbabwe vs South Africa – 19:00
December 31: Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire – 22:00
January 6: R16 – Winner Group F vs 2nd Group E – 22:00
January 10: QF – Winner 43 vs Winner 42 – 19:00
TANGER
Venue: Grand Stade De Tanger
Capacity: 68,000
City: Tanger
Ten kilometres southwest of the city centre, it was opened in 2011 and named after explorer Ibn Battuta; an architectural gem reflecting Tangier’s historical legacy, with sweeping stands and windswept intensity near Europe’s gateway.
Matches (EAT)
December 23: Senegal vs Botswana – 18:00
December 27: Senegal vs DR Congo – 18:00
December 30: Benin vs Senegal – 22:00
January 3: R16 – Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F – 19:00
January 9: QF – Winner 38 vs Winner 37 – 19:00
January 14: SF – Winner 45 vs Winner 48 – 20:00