Complete visitor guide to Grand Stade de Marrakech. FIFA Club World Cup venue, AFCON 2025 quarter-final host, transport, hotels, and tourist tips for Morocco's Red City.
World-Class Football in Morocco's Vibrant Tourist Capital
Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the Grand Stade de Marrakech, one of Morocco's premier football venues and a cornerstone of the country's preparations for AFCON 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2030. This 45,240-capacity stadium has hosted some of African football's most prestigious moments, including back-to-back FIFA Club World Cup finals in 2013 and 2014. For a full list of tournament venues, visit our complete guide to AFCON 2025 stadiums.
Stadium Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Grand Stade de Marrakech |
| Also Known As | Stade de Marrakech |
| City | Marrakech, Morocco |
| Capacity | 45,240 (expanding to 46,000 by 2030) |
| Opened | January 5, 2011 |
| Home Team | Kawkab Marrakech (KACM) |
| AFCON 2025 Role | Group Stage + Round of 16 + Quarter-final |
| Distance from City Center | 11 km north |
| Nearest Airport | Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) – 14 km |
Stadium History & Legacy
The Red City's Modern Icon
The Grand Stade de Marrakech opened on January 5, 2011, designed by renowned architects Gregotti Associati International (Italy) in partnership with Moroccan firm Saâd Benkirane. With a construction cost of approximately 890 million MAD (~€84 million), the venue was built to international FIFA and IAAF standards.
FIFA Club World Cup Legacy (2013-2014)
2013 Final: Bayern Munich 2-0 Raja Casablanca European champions Bayern Munich defeated African champions Raja Casablanca before 45,000 passionate fans.
2014 Final: Real Madrid 2-0 San Lorenzo Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale's goals delivered Real Madrid's second Club World Cup title.
Recent Upgrades (2024-2025)
400 million MAD investment:
- New hybrid turf pitch
- Complete seating replacement (wider, more comfortable)
- Turnstile expansion: 36 → 77 entry points
- 180-seat panoramic restaurant
- 4 FIFA-standard training pitches
- 7 VIP lounges + 15 luxury skyboxes
AFCON 2025 Match Schedule
Confirmed Fixtures (7 matches)
Group Stage:
- December 22: South Africa vs Angola (Group B)
- December 24: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Group F)
- December 26: Angola vs Zimbabwe (Group B)
- December 28: Cameroon vs Gabon (Group F)
- December 30: South Africa vs Zimbabwe (Group B)
- January 1: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Group F – "Group of Death")
Knockout Rounds:
- Round of 16: January 5, 2026
- Quarter-final: January 10, 2026
Getting to Grand Stade de Marrakech
From Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
Distance: 14 km | Travel Time: 25-35 minutes
Taxi:
- Daytime: 100-150 MAD ($10-15)
- Nighttime: 150-200 MAD
- Journey: 25 minutes
Airport Shuttle:
- L19 Airport Express to city center
- Cost: ~30 MAD
- Then taxi to stadium
From Marrakech City Center
Distance: 11 km north (Route Nationale 9)
Taxi:
- Cost: 50-80 MAD from Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
Ride-Hailing:
- Careem and Heetch available
- 60-100 MAD from city center
Stadium Facilities
Seating & Capacity
Total: 45,240 | Covered: 36,300
Seating Zones:
- Tribunes Principales: Central seating, premium views
- Virage Nord/Sud: Supporter sections, energetic atmosphere
- VIP Boxes: 15 skyboxes with private hospitality
- VIP Lounges: 7 lounges with catering
Hospitality
Panoramic Restaurant:
- 180-seat capacity
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Gourmet Moroccan and international cuisine
Skyboxes (15):
- Private viewing for 8-12 guests
- Dedicated waiter service
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible seating (lower tier)
- Accessible restrooms throughout
- Ramps and elevators
- Reserved accessible parking
Where to Stay
Luxury (5-Star)
La Mamounia
- Distance: 12 km
- Price: $400-800/night
- Legendary palace hotel, Michelin-starred dining
Royal Mansour Marrakech
- Distance: 11 km
- Price: $800-2,000+/night
- Private riads with individual pools
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech
- Distance: 10 km
- Price: $350-700/night
- Family-friendly, exceptional spa
Mid-Range (3-4 Star)
Riad Kniza
- Distance: 12 km (Medina)
- Price: $120-220/night
- Authentic riad experience
Ibis Marrakech Centre Gare
- Distance: 9 km
- Price: $50-90/night
- Best value for football trips
Budget
Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge
- Price: $15-40/night
- Social atmosphere, meet fellow fans
Nearby Attractions
UNESCO World Heritage: The Medina
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
- The beating heart of Marrakech
- Snake charmers, storytellers, food stalls
- Visit at sunset for magical atmosphere
Koutoubia Mosque
- Marrakech's largest mosque
- Iconic 77-meter minaret (12th century)
Bahia Palace
- 19th-century palace
- Intricate zellige tilework
- Entry: 70 MAD
Saadian Tombs
- Royal necropolis (16th century)
- Entry: 70 MAD
Majorelle Garden
- Iconic cobalt blue botanical garden
- Created by Jacques Majorelle, owned by YSL
- Entry: 150 MAD (garden + museum)
Match Day Guide
Arrival Times
- Regular matches: 2+ hours before kickoff
- AFCON matches: Arrive early for security
What to Bring
- Fan ID (YALLA app) + Ticket
- Valid passport/ID
- Sunscreen, light jacket
- Cash (MAD) for concessions
Prohibited Items
- Large bags/backpacks
- Glass bottles
- Professional cameras
- Fireworks/flares
Food & Beverage
- Traditional Moroccan snacks
- Halal options throughout
- No alcohol served
Practical Information
Weather (December-January)
- Daytime: 18-22°C (64-72°F)
- Evening: 8-12°C (46-54°F)
- Sun protection recommended
Tickets
AFCON 2025:
- Portal: tickets.cafonline.com
- Fan ID mandatory (YALLA app)
- Prices: $20-120+ depending on category
Emergency Contacts
- Police: 19
- Ambulance: 15
- Tourist Police: +212 524 38 46 01
Language
- Arabic (Darija) and French
- English in tourist areas
Kawkab Marrakech (KACM)
Founded: 1947 Nickname: "Kawkab" (The Planet) Colors: Red and black
Major Titles:
- Botola Championship: 2 titles (1992-93, 2021-22)
- Moroccan Throne Cup: 1 title (2023)
Essential Links
- SONARGES: [email protected] | +212 537 798 303
- AFCON Tickets: tickets.cafonline.com
- Fan ID: www.yallamorocco.ma
- Marrakech Tourism: www.visitmarrakech.com
Yalla! Marrakech awaits!
Last Updated: November 29, 2025
In this article
- Stadium Quick Facts
- Stadium History & Legacy
- AFCON 2025 Match Schedule
- Getting to Grand Stade de Marrakech
- Stadium Facilities
- Where to Stay
- Nearby Attractions
- Match Day Guide
- Practical Information
- Kawkab Marrakech (KACM)
- Essential Links
Written by
Morocco Stadiums Team
AFCON 2025 Guide
