AFCON 2025 fever grips Morocco as record-breaking fan arrivals flood host airports

Morocco’s preparations for AFCON 2025 have shifted from boardrooms to bustling terminals, with the scale of supporter arrivals offering a vivid early sign of the tournament’s pull even before the first ball is kicked.

In the days leading up to the opening match, airports across the Kingdom have recorded unprecedented traffic levels as fans from Africa and beyond pour into the host nation.

Between December 8 and 18, Moroccan airports handled 868,287 passengers, a figure that represents a 10.7 percent increase compared with the same period last year. The surge peaked on December 18, which set a new single-day record for arrivals.

The spike has been driven largely by AFCON-bound travellers, prompting a coordinated response across the country’s aviation and security network.

The National Airports Office has reinforced staffing and operations, working alongside the Ministry of the Interior, national police, the Royal Gendarmerie, customs authorities, and transport officials to manage the influx.

Their focus has been on maintaining smooth passenger flows, ensuring security, and delivering a welcoming first impression in cities hosting tournament matches.

Across the 10-day period, the six airports most directly linked to AFCON logistics recorded 7,327 aircraft movements, marking a 13 percent year-on-year rise.

Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco’s primary hub, accounted for more than a third of total passenger traffic, processing 292,221 travellers. Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, Rabat, and Fez followed, each reporting sustained growth as supporters spread across the country’s football venues.

Officials see the numbers as further validation of Morocco’s readiness to host a major continental event. Investments in airport infrastructure, digital processing systems, and inter-agency coordination have been tested by the early wave of arrivals, with authorities confident they can handle even higher volumes once the group stage gets underway.

Beyond logistics, the influx underlines the broader appeal of AFCON 2025. Hotels, transport operators, and local businesses are already feeling the impact, while host cities brace for packed fan zones and sold-out stadiums. With the tournament set to run until January 18, expectations are that passenger traffic will remain elevated throughout the month.