Organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing fans to enter stadiums for free after kick-off in matches where attendance is low, according to a Confederation of African Football source who spoke to AFP. The move is aimed at filling empty stands and improving the atmosphere during games, especially in the early stages of the tournament.
The strategy became visible during the Group F match between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday in Agadir. At kick-off, the stadium appeared nearly empty, with only a small number of fans braving the persistent rain. As the first half progressed, however, the stands began to fill up noticeably. By the time attendance figures were announced, officials reported a crowd of 35,200 in a stadium that can accommodate more than 45,000 spectators.
Similar scenes have played out at several matches since the tournament began. In some cases, the late arrival of fans has even confused official attendance numbers. During Tuesday’s Group D clash between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, the initial attendance figure was announced as 6,703. This number was later revised to 13,073 after the stadium filled up as the match went on.
According to the CAF source, organisers are opening the stadium gates around 20 minutes after kick-off, allowing fans who are already gathered outside to enter without paying. This approach has reportedly been agreed upon with African football’s governing body as part of a wider effort to ensure fuller stadiums during the competition.
Why are AFCON organisers focused on filling empty stands?
Filling stadiums is a major priority for the tournament’s organisers, especially with Morocco positioning itself as a key host for major global football events. A successful Africa Cup of Nations is seen as an important step as the country prepares for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.
Crowd turnout plays a big role in how a tournament is perceived both locally and internationally. Full stadiums create better television visuals, boost player morale, and enhance the overall fan experience. Empty seats, on the other hand, can suggest a lack of interest, even when matches are competitive and feature some of the continent’s top teams.
Despite the free entry policy after kick-off, ticket availability suggests that demand has been lower than expected for many group stage matches. CAF’s official ticketing platform showed seats available for almost all remaining group games, with prices starting at 100 dirhams, about $10.96. Only a few high-profile fixtures were listed as sold out.
Which matches are attracting full crowds?
The only games reported as sell-outs include Morocco’s matches against Mali on Friday and Zambia on Monday, as well as Algeria’s encounters with Burkina Faso on Sunday and Equatorial Guinea next Wednesday. These fixtures involve strong fan bases and teams with high regional support, which may explain the higher demand.
As the tournament progresses, organisers are likely to continue using flexible measures to improve attendance, especially for matches that do not feature host nation Morocco or traditional heavyweights. While the decision to allow free entry after kick-off has raised eyebrows, it highlights the challenges of filling large stadiums and the lengths organisers are willing to go to ensure lively atmospheres throughout the competition.
The coming weeks will show whether this approach leads to consistently fuller stands as AFCON moves into the knockout stages, where interest traditionally rises and stadiums are expected to be closer to capacity.
By Yockshard Enyendi