East Africa is sprinting toward a monumental moment. As Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda prepare to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a trio of gleaming new stadiums is rising from dust and scaffolding — each a statement of ambition, culture and engineering. With Morocco’s polished AFCON 2025 still fresh in fans’ minds, the region faces intense scrutiny and a tight timetable to deliver world-class venues that can match the continent’s highest standards.
Talanta Stadium Nairobi
Capacity: 60,000 • Estimated cost: Ksh44 billion • Completion status: 85 percent complete by January 2026; target ready date April 2026
Nairobi’s new crown jewel cuts an elegant ellipse against the skyline in Jamhuri. Commissioned in March 2024 and built by China Road and Bridge Corporation with government backing, Talanta is an ultra-modern, football-first arena whose exterior is nearly finished while the interior canopy and fit-outs race toward completion. Inside, workers are installing seats, giant screens, lighting and sound systems, and preparing a pitch that will meet the strictest playing standards.
Standout features
• Seven modern changing rooms; VIP lounges and fully equipped media centres.
• VAR booths with goal-line technology integrated into match operations.
• Two adjacent training pitches, a shopping mall and a four-star hotel to create a stadium precinct.
Plans for a dedicated railway link promise to transform matchday logistics, and the venue will be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium in tribute to the late former Prime Minister. Talanta will share hosting duties with Kasarani, anchoring Kenya’s AFCON presence.
Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium Arusha
Capacity: 30,000 • Estimated cost: $112 million (Tsh293 billion) • Completion status: Over 70 percent complete by January 2026; projected finish July 2026
Perched in Arusha’s Olomoti area, Tanzania’s new stadium is a sculptural ode to national identity. Groundbreaking in April 2024 set the stage for a venue whose architecture draws on tanzanite gemstones and Mount Kilimanjaro, blending local symbolism with contemporary lines. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports and built by China Railway Construction, the stadium is designed as a multi-use hub for football, athletics and cultural events.
Standout features
• State-of-the-art athletics facilities alongside a football pitch.
• Design that celebrates Tanzanian heritage while meeting international event standards.
With work intensifying in the months ahead, Arusha’s new arena aims to be both a sporting stage and a cultural landmark for AFCON 2027.
Hoima City Stadium Bunyoro
Capacity: 20,000 outdoor; Indoor arena: 2,000 seats • Estimated cost: $129 million (UGX463 billion) • Completion status: Commissioned December 2025 after 12 months of construction
Uganda’s Hoima City Stadium arrived with surprising speed, completed in a record year and officially commissioned in late 2025. Built on 34 acres in the Bunyoro sub-region, the complex pairs a 20,000-seat outdoor bowl with a tartan athletics track and a 2,000-seat indoor arena for basketball, netball and volleyball. The site also includes training grounds, athlete facilities, media zones and a presidential suite, positioning Hoima as a modern, multi-sport destination.
Standout features
• Rapid construction timeline delivering a fully equipped venue in 12 months.
• Versatility for football, rugby and athletics plus indoor court sports.
Hoima will complement Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium, expanding Uganda’s capacity to host high-profile AFCON fixtures.
Final Whistle
As scaffolding falls away and final systems are tested, East Africa’s stadiums are more than concrete and steel — they are bold investments in sport, tourism and national pride. The clock is ticking and the margin for error is slim, but if these venues open on schedule they will offer fans a fresh, vibrant stage for Africa’s greatest football festival.
