AFCON 2027 is planned for about 19 June to 17 July 2027, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, with Tanzanian matches expected in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar. Fans, journalists, team staff and officials will need places to stay for days or weeks, and hotels alone will not cover the demand. If you have a flat, a spare unit or a house near these cities, you can earn by preparing it as a furnished short-let now: clean, safe, with reliable water, power and Wi-Fi, listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, with fair prices and the right licences. The best plan is a unit that earns during AFCON and keeps earning afterwards from business travellers, tourists and visiting family.
This guide is in simple steps. It is for homeowners, landlords and people in the diaspora who own property in Tanzania.
What is AFCON 2027 and why does it matter for property?
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is Africa's biggest football tournament. In 2027 it will be hosted for the first time by three countries together: Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Twenty-four national teams are expected to take part, and each brings players, officials, media and many fans.
In Tanzania, the main venues expected are:
| City | Stadium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium | About 60,000 seats, upgraded for the tournament |
| Arusha | New stadium at Olmoti | Around 30,000 seats, built for AFCON |
| Zanzibar | Amaan Stadium, and the new Fumba stadium | Amaan was renovated; Fumba under construction |
The final list of venues and matches comes from CAF, the African football body, so check their schedule before you plan. Tanzania already co-hosted the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025, which gave a small preview of how visitors move around during a tournament.
Who will need a place to stay?
- Fans from other countries, often in groups of friends or families, staying for a few matches.
- Tanzanian fans travelling from other regions to Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Zanzibar.
- Journalists and broadcast crews, who need Wi-Fi, a desk and quiet.
- Team support staff, security and officials.
- Business people selling food, merchandise and services around the tournament.
- Tourists who combine football with a safari or beach holiday. Arusha and Zanzibar are perfect for this.
Many of these guests prefer a flat to a hotel room, because they travel in groups, want a kitchen, or stay longer.
Step 1: Choose the right unit
Not every property suits short-lets. The best ones are:
- Close to the stadium, the city centre or good transport. In Dar es Salaam, areas with easy access to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium area and to the city centre. In Arusha, near town and the main roads to Olmoti. In Zanzibar, Stone Town, Fumba and nearby areas.
- Safe, with a gate, lighting and a secure parking area.
- Self-contained, with its own entrance, bathroom and kitchen.
- Easy to reach, with a clear address and a map pin.
A one- or two-bedroom flat works best. A house with three or four bedrooms suits groups and families. Our guide on the host cities and where fans will stay goes area by area.
Step 2: Fix the basics first
Guests forgive simple furniture. They do not forgive no water, no power or a dirty bathroom. Before you buy a single cushion:
- Water: a storage tank of at least 1,000 to 2,000 litres and a pressure pump.
- Power: a small generator, or solar with batteries, for lights, fans, Wi-Fi and fridge. See our solar guide.
- Hot water in the shower.
- Fast Wi-Fi. Fans want to share videos and journalists need to file stories.
- Working locks on all doors and windows, and window bars where needed.
- No leaks. Fix the roof before the rains end. See roof leak repair.
If the unit needs bigger work, such as plastering, tiling or a new bathroom, start now. Our post on what you can finish before AFCON 2027 shows realistic timelines.
Step 3: Furnish simply and well
Example costs for a one-bedroom unit, simple but good standard:
| Item | Example cost (TSh) |
|---|---|
| Bed, mattress, 3 sets of sheets, mosquito net, curtains | 1.5 to 3 million |
| Sofa, small table, chairs | 1.2 to 3 million |
| Fridge, cooker, kettle, basic cookware and plates | 1.2 to 2.5 million |
| TV (for the matches) and Wi-Fi router | 0.8 to 1.8 million |
| Fans or an air conditioner | 0.3 to 2 million |
| Towels, cleaning supplies, small extras | 0.4 to 0.8 million |
| Total | About 5.4 to 13 million |
Buy durable items. You want them to last for years, not just one tournament. Our short-let apartments guide has more on design and furnishing.
Step 4: Get the paperwork right
Renting rooms to visitors is a business. You will usually need:
- Business registration and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from TRA.
- A business licence from your council.
- Tourism or accommodation registration where it applies. On the mainland this is under tourism law, and in Zanzibar under the Zanzibar tourism authorities.
- Payment of income tax and any levies on accommodation.
Ask your local council and an accountant early. Authorities often check accommodation more closely during big events, and you do not want your listing closed in the middle of the tournament.
Step 5: List it and set fair prices
- Take good photos in daylight. Clean the unit first, open the curtains, show every room.
- Write a simple, honest description: distance to the stadium, transport, power backup, water, Wi-Fi, parking.
- List early. Many fans book as soon as they know where their team plays.
- Set fair prices. Prices usually rise during big events, but very high prices bring bad reviews and complaints. Check what similar places nearby charge, add a fair event premium, and set a minimum stay of two or three nights.
- Ask for full payment through the platform. Avoid cash deals with strangers.
Step 6: Plan cleaning and check-in
During the tournament, guests may change every few days. You need:
- A cleaner on call, with a checklist and spare linen.
- A key safe or smart lock, or someone reliable to meet guests.
- A welcome note with house rules, Wi-Fi password, emergency numbers and how to get to the stadium.
- Drinking water and a few basics for arrival.
Staying safe during AFCON
- Register guests' names and ID numbers as the law requires.
- Do not accept more people than the unit can sleep.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.
- Agree clear rules on noise and visitors. Football fans celebrate.
- Take photos of the unit before and after every stay.
What could a unit earn?
Nobody can promise exact numbers for AFCON, because demand depends on which teams play where. Here is a simple way to think about it:
- AFCON period: about four weeks. If your unit is booked for 20 nights at a fair event rate, that may cover a good part of your furnishing costs.
- After AFCON: the unit keeps earning from business travellers, tourists and visiting family, or you switch it to a monthly let.
Plan your numbers for the whole year, not just for the tournament. Our guide on keeping your property earning after AFCON explains how.
Mistakes hosts make during big events
- Overbooking or taking cash bookings outside the platform, then double-selling the same dates.
- Raising prices too high, then sitting empty while fair-priced places fill.
- No backup for power and water, which brings angry reviews in the first week.
- Forgetting the neighbours. Agree parking and noise rules before guests arrive.
- Cancelling confirmed guests to take a higher offer. Platforms punish this, and it hurts your reputation for years.
- Not cleaning properly between quick stays. Prepare extra linen and towels so the cleaner is never waiting for laundry.
A calm, well-run unit with fair prices often earns more over the tournament than one that tries to squeeze every shilling out of the first booking.
Frequently asked questions
When is AFCON 2027?
It is planned for about 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Check CAF's official schedule for final dates and venues.
Which Tanzanian cities will host AFCON 2027 matches?
Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar are expected to host matches, at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the new Arusha stadium and Zanzibar's stadiums.
Do I need a licence to rent my house on Airbnb in Tanzania?
You usually need business registration, a TIN, a business licence and, where it applies, tourism or accommodation registration. Rules differ between the mainland and Zanzibar.
How much should I charge during AFCON?
Check prices of similar units nearby, add a fair event premium, and avoid very high prices that lead to bad reviews. Set a minimum stay of two or three nights.
Is it too late to prepare a unit for AFCON 2027?
No. A finished flat or house can be furnished and listed in a few weeks. Bigger building work needs to start now.
Need your unit ready in time?
Vika Construction can repair, finish and fit out units for short-lets. See our interior fit-out work or contact us with your location and timeline.
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