Agadir, located on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco in the Souss-Massa region, hosted this Monday, September 1, 2025, the inspection visit of the Grand Stade by the Moroccan authorities, a key site in the preparation of the CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup that Morocco is co-organizing with Spain and Portugal.

Under the bright Agadir sun, the modernized silhouette of the Grand Stade stands out as a symbol of the major transformations underway. As the 2025 sporting competition approaches, this flagship stadium in southern Morocco has undergone a major renovation to be worthy of the African Cup of Nations. Inaugurated in 2013, this architectural gem combines elegance and functionality, with its more than 41,500 seats, just fifteen minutes from the city center and half an hour from the airport.

Completely redesigned in two phases, the stadium now boasts a brand-new pitch, modernized boxes, and revamped facilities for both players and fans. Its brightly lit enclosure and redesigned spaces promise a unique experience, combining comfort, safety, and popular enthusiasm. The Grand Stade d'Agadir thus establishes itself as one of Morocco's most iconic sporting venues.

The first phase, costing approximately 450 million dirhams (US$50 million), focused primarily on significant exterior and interior renovations. The parking lots were expanded from 2,600 to 4,100 spaces, new ticketing and accreditation areas were created, and the training pitches were completely resurfaced to meet international standards. Inside, the changing rooms and some of the seating in the stands were modernized, providing optimal conditions for both teams and fans.

Hicham Allouli, regional director of the National Company for the Construction and Management of Sports Equipment (Sonarges), assures that "the Grand Stade d'Agadir is already ready to host the biggest events."

He emphasizes: "The first phase, which is almost complete, consists of the exterior development of the stadium, which has increased the parking capacity from 2,600 spaces to 4,100." He also specifies that the work included strengthening the exterior fence and installing new ticketing points, as well as upgrading the stadium's technical equipment for better operation during major events.

Located approximately 547 kilometers from Rabat, the administrative and political capital of Morocco, the Grand Stade d'Agadir is a significant distance from the Grand Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, also selected for the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 World Cup. Although geographically distant, these two stadiums play essential roles within a network of sports infrastructures strategically distributed across the country, making it possible to host major competitions while promoting different regions of Morocco.

The Grand Stade d'Agadir will be a major stage for the 2025 AFCON, hosting several important matches in Group B. This group, which promises to be intense, brings together leading African nations such as Egypt, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola.

The tournament kicks off at the Agadir Stadium with the Egypt-Zimbabwe clash scheduled for December 22, 2025, followed by Cameroon-Gabon on December 24. Egypt will face South Africa on the 26th, Gabon will face Mozambique on the 28th, Angola and Egypt will meet on the 29th, while Mozambique and Cameroon will close the group stage on December 31. In addition to the group stage, the stadium will also host a round of 16 match on January 5, followed by a quarter-final on January 9, 2026, confirming the stadium's essential role in the competition.

In preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, a second phase of renovation will begin in January 2026. This phase, estimated to cost between 2.3 and 2.5 billion dirhams (255 and 278 million US dollars), will include full coverage of the stands, expanding the stadium's capacity from 41,800 to 46,000 seats, and improving VIP areas. According to Hicham Allouli, "the second phase aims to enable this sports venue to comply with FIFA's specifications and requirements."

As part of preparations for the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, a media tour has been launched to inspect the stadiums selected for these events. This tour began on Sunday, August 31, with a visit to the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, the first step in the inspection of the six selected venues: Ibn Batouta in Tangier, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, as well as the stadiums in Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Casablanca, all currently being renovated to meet CAF and FIFA standards.