In a surprising move to address visibly sparse attendance, organisers of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco have begun allowing supporters to enter stadiums for free after matches have kicked off. A source from the Confederation of African Football confirmed the strategy to news agencies, revealing it is a coordinated effort to improve the tournament's atmosphere.
The Strategy Behind the Open Gates
The unorthodox policy was clearly observed during the Group F clash between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday, December 25th, in Agadir. The match started in front of nearly empty stands, but the 45,000-capacity stadium saw a significant influx of fans throughout the first half, even amidst heavy rain. The official attendance was later recorded at 35,200.
A CAF source explained that, in agreement with tournament organisers, gates are being opened approximately 20 minutes into games. This allows fans gathered outside the venues to enter without paying for a ticket. The decision underscores a significant concern over the visual impact of empty seats during televised broadcasts.
Confusion and Corrected Attendance Figures
This practice has led to considerable confusion regarding official crowd numbers in the tournament's opening days. A prime example was the Group D match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin at Rabat's Al Medina Stadium on Tuesday.
The initial attendance was announced as a modest 6,703. However, as the stands filled up considerably during the game, the figure was later corrected to 13,073—almost double the original count. Such discrepancies highlight the fluid nature of crowd numbers under this new free-entry system.
Morocco's Bigger Picture: The 2030 World Cup
Filling stadiums is a critical priority for Moroccan organisers. Hosting a successful and vibrant AFCON is seen as a key stepping stone as the nation builds towards co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. A tournament buzzing with fans creates positive optics and demonstrates organisational capability on a global stage.
Despite the free-entry measures, CAF's official ticketing platform on Thursday showed that paid tickets remain available for most group matches, starting at 100 Moroccan dirhams (about $10.96). The only matches listed as sell-outs were:
- Hosts Morocco vs Mali (Friday)
- Morocco vs Zambia (Monday)
- Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Sunday)
- Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea (next Wednesday)
This indicates that fan interest is primarily concentrated around the continent's football powerhouses and the host nation, leaving other matches struggling to attract a full house through conventional ticket sales.
