Fez Stadium, one of the AFCON 2025 host venues, offering wide stands and a panoramic football atmosphere. Credit Wikipédia / Creative Commons / Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
A Landmark Stadium on the Fez–Sefrou Axis
Located on the main road linking Fez to Sefrou, the Fez Sports Complex ranks among Morocco’s most significant football venues. With a seating capacity of 45,000, the stadium blends traditional Moroccan architectural references with modern construction standards, offering a setting suited to both national competitions and major international tournaments.
Planning for the stadium began in 1992, under the direction of Moroccan architects and engineers, with construction launched in 1994. The project was initially intended for completion in 1997 to host the Africa Junior Cup alongside the Stade d’Honneur in Meknes. Technical constraints, however, led to several delays, and the complex was ultimately completed in 2003.
From Construction Delays to a National Football Hub
Over the years, the Fez Sports Complex evolved into a fully equipped, multi-functional venue. The site includes a dedicated media center, medical and first-aid facilities, an anti-doping control unit, and extensive parking capacity accommodating up to 7,500 cars and 350 buses.
As part of Morocco’s bids to host the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, the stadium underwent further upgrades, including the addition of 5,000 seats, increasing its total capacity to 45,000 spectators. These improvements ensured compliance with international standards set by FIFA and CAF.
The stadium was officially inaugurated on November 25, 2007, during the 2006–2007 Throne Cup final, which opposed AS FAR and Rachad Bernoussi. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with FAR winning on penalties in front of nearly 40,000 spectators. The first goal in the stadium’s history came from an own goal by Atik Chihab, marking a symbolic beginning for the venue. Since then, Maghreb de Fès has made the stadium its home ground.
AFCON 2025 Matches at the Fez Sports Complex
During the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, the Fez Sports Complex will serve as one of the tournament’s key venues, hosting important Group C fixtures and a knockout-stage match. Nigeria’s presence across multiple games places Fez at the heart of one of the most followed groups.
| Match | Date | Fixture | Group / Stage | Kick-off |
| Match 5 | December 23, 2025 | Nigeria vs Tanzania | Group C | 13:00 |
| Match 17 | December 27, 2025 | Nigeria vs Tunisia | Group C | 13:00 |
| Match 29 | December 29, 2025 | Uganda vs Nigeria | Group C | 18:00 |
| Match 41 | Group B Winner vs 3rd Group A/C/D | Round of 16 | 18:00 |
With its large capacity, architectural identity, and long-standing role in Moroccan football, the Fez Sports Complex is set to once again place the city at the center of continental attention during AFCON 2025.
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