Tangier Grand Stadium nears completion for African football showcases

Morocco’s ambitious stadium modernization program reaches a crucial milestone as the Grand Stadium of Tangier approaches its late September completion deadline, according to project architect Anouar Amraoui.

The $360 million renovation transforms the venue into a 75,000-seat football-dedicated facility, eliminating the athletics track to create an intimate spectator experience meeting FIFA World Cup standards, Amraoui told MAP.

The comprehensive renovation positions Tangier’s stadium among Africa’s most advanced sporting venues ahead of hosting duties for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Moroccan construction firms lead the project execution with German technical assistance, demonstrating local capacity for complex infrastructure development.

The stadium features the world’s second-largest hybrid roof structure after Brazil’s Maracanã, combining steel and cable engineering to protect all spectators while maintaining architectural elegance. Amraoui emphasized that interior spaces underwent complete reconstruction to satisfy FIFA requirements, with work progressing from initial studies in May 2024 to near completion within sixteen months.

Omar Khyari, advisor to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s president, characterized the renovated stadium as a continental and global football jewel. In a statement to MAP, he highlighted King Mohammed VI’s vision in developing connected infrastructure that positions Morocco as an international football hub, leveraging the federation’s strategic planning and execution capabilities.

The transformation includes maintaining the 105×68-meter natural grass pitch while dramatically improving sightlines by bringing spectators closer to the action. The removal of the athletics track represents a fundamental shift toward creating atmosphere-enhancing venues that meet international broadcasting and hospitality standards.

This project exemplifies Morocco’s broader infrastructure investment strategy, combining aesthetic appeal with functional excellence to attract major sporting events and reinforce the country’s reputation as a premier football destination.