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David GOMBE
The 2027 model could be the primary AFCON ever co-hosted all through three worldwide places in East Africa that embody Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, marking a historic milestone for continental soccer and for East African tourism. Qualification bulletins are anticipated in September 2026, when 24 teams will possible be confirmed for the match.
Hassan El Kamah, CAF Enterprise Director addressing delegates at POATE, underscored the dimensions of the prospect. “Take into consideration three billion television viewers everywhere in the world seeing your mannequin all through AFCON matches,” he acknowledged. “That’s the facility of AFCON, an unimaginable platform for funding and tourism growth in Uganda.”
El Kamah well-known that AFCON has grown into definitely one in all Africa’s strongest monetary platforms. The 2027 model is projected to generate better than USD 2 billion in combined monetary impression all through the three host nations.
This decide is in response to the impression recorded at AFCON 2025, which was hosted in Morocco and drew 66,526 spectators on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat remaining, with over 97 million cumulative viewers on beIN Sports activities actions alone. He moreover spoke to what makes the 2027 model distinctive. “Our President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, on a regular basis says it is going to possible be the easiest inside the historic previous of AFCON. Web internet hosting three gorgeous worldwide places like Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania is one factor explicit,” El Kamah acknowledged.
El Kamah issued a direct downside to Uganda’s personal sector, urging airways, lodging, tour operators, and experience suppliers to begin positioning now. “The window to assemble one factor worth visiting is precise,” he acknowledged. “However it gained’t preserve open eternally.”
With worldwide qualification bulletins anticipated in September 2026 and fan and media consideration set to sharpen considerably from that point, stakeholders all through hospitality, transport, leisure and infrastructure have a closing window to rearrange aggressive, visitor-ready merchandise and experiences.
FUFA Vice President Dr. Taibu Azar captured the nationwide mood with readability. “Soccer has on a regular basis been Uganda’s heartbeat,” she acknowledged. “AFCON 2027 affords us the most effective stage we’ve ever wanted to current the world who we aren’t solely as a soccer nation, nevertheless as a trip spot. When these followers arrive, they will uncover a nation that’s warmth, gorgeous, and in distinction to wherever else on the continent. We’re ready, and we’re excited.”
Dr. Azar confirmed that preparations are accelerating on a variety of fronts. “We’ve been working with Uganda Tourism Board since ultimate 12 months to find out strategies we’ll diversify our product previous wildlife and use this match to drive visibility and attraction to investments into music, hospitality, custom, and loads of others,” she acknowledged.
Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa described AFCON 2027 as “our single best tourism promoting various in a know-how.” UTB’s approach centres on extending the client journey properly previous match days, connecting arriving followers to gorilla treks, provide of the Nile, cultural experiences in Kampala, and Uganda’s wider nature and journey offering.
“They arrive for the game, they preserve for the Pearl of Africa,” Kagwa acknowledged, encapsulating the board’s technique to altering soccer followers into long-stay vacationers. UTB is devoted to protected trip spot affiliate promoting rights of AFCON to put trip spot Uganda to the globe.
