Africa Cup of Nations 2027: Dates, host nation and schedule details

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — the 36th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament — is scheduled to take place in August 2027. This tournament marks a historic moment for African football, as it will be the first AFCON hosted jointly by three nations: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

In a significant development for the tournament’s structure, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host the event, bringing the prestigious competition to the East African region for the first time in over 50 years.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not announced the tournament dates.

The 2027 edition will feature 24 teams from across the continent competing in group and knockout stages. Qualifying matches are set to begin in March 2026, with additional matchdays in September/October and November 2026.

In terms of venues, the tournament is expected to include multiple host cities across the three countries, showcasing a mix of established and newly developed stadiums that meet international standards. Proposed host cities include Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega in Kenya; Kampala, Lira, and Hoima in Uganda; and Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma in Tanzania.

It will also be the 70th anniversary of the initial event in 1957, and the last to be held in an odd-numbered year.

Afcon will be contested every four years, rather than every two, starting in 2028, and will be held in the same year as the Euros.

The hosts of the 2028 Afcon have not yet been announced.

An annual Africa Nations League will be held in September, October, and November beginning in 2029.