With just a few months to go before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, the Grand Stadium of Marrakech is showing off a dramatic transformation. The first phase of its renovation, launched at the start of 2024, has just been completed—marking a major milestone in the modernization of this iconic venue ahead of both continental and global competitions.
The upgrades are extensive. The pitch has been completely redone, locker rooms have been brought up to modern standards, and the media and mixed zones have been redesigned from the ground up. A panoramic restaurant with seating for 180 guests has been added, and the stands have been fitted with brand-new, wider, and more comfortable seats. Every improvement now meets the rigorous standards set by the Confederation of African Football.
Led by the National Agency for Public Facilities, the renovations required a budget of nearly 400 million dirhams. The revamp also includes seven VIP lounges, fifteen luxury skyboxes, and a completely redesigned access system. The number of turnstiles has more than doubled—from 36 to 77—drastically reducing wait times. Fans can now get from the entrance to their seats in under a minute, aligning with FIFA’s expectations for modern stadium efficiency.
But the overhaul is far from over. Once the Africa Cup of Nations wraps up, a second wave of construction will begin, aiming to increase the stadium’s seating capacity from 41,000 to 46,000 by 2030. That expansion will involve removing the athletics track and fully roofing the stadium, which will also be reshaped from a traditional rectangular layout to a striking octagonal design.
Already equipped with four FIFA-approved training fields, the Marrakech stadium has previously hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014. Now, it’s gearing up to return to the spotlight. Locals will get a first glimpse of the stadium’s new look this Saturday evening, when newly promoted Kawkab Marrakech faces Tunisia’s Étoile du Sahel in a friendly match—a symbolic start to a new era for the city’s beloved arena.
