East Africa plans joint visa for AFCON 2027 fans as Arusha stadium nears completion
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are working on a special visa scheme so football fans can move freely between the three countries during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers and Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister, announced the plan on Tuesday, October 13 while inspecting the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium—which is now 95% complete and designed to hold 32,500 spectators.
The goal is to let supporters easily attend matches in different host countries and enjoy local tourism, while boosting business for hotels, tour operators, transport companies and other services. But as EALA member Abdullah Makame noted, how well this works will depend on the final visa requirements and effective implementation at border crossings.
With AFCON 2027 set for June 19-July 17 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda—the first time the tournament will be hosted by three countries—the visa scheme aims to make cross-border travel seamless for fans. The Arusha venue, one of the key stadiums, should be fully ready well before the opening match.
Does this joint visa plan make you more likely to attend games in multiple countries during AFCON 2027, or do you have concerns about potential delays at border crossings despite the new arrangement?