AFCON 2025 Marrakech: Hotels, Stadiums & Experiences
Tournament kicks off December 21
Marrakech hosts more AFCON matches than any city except Rabat. The Grand Stade de Marrakech will see eight fixtures across group stage and knockouts, including a quarter-final. For supporters whose teams draw Group B or Group F, or for anyone following the tournament into January, Marrakech is likely on your itinerary.
The city needs no introduction. What visitors underestimate is what becomes possible between matches: the Atlas Mountains an hour away, the desert at sunset, the coast at Essaouira. Three or four days between fixtures is enough time to experience Morocco beyond the medina walls.
Marrakech at a Glance
Stadium Overview
Grand Stade de Marrakech Capacity: 45,240 Location: Route de l'Ourika, approximately 12km south of the medina
The stadium sits against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Clear December days offer views of snow-capped peaks from the upper tiers. Approaching via Route de l'Ourika, the same road leads to the valleys where day trips begin.
Matches at Grand Stade de Marrakech
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group F: Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
6 group stage matches (December 22-31)
1 Round of 16 match (January 6)
1 Quarter-final (January 10)
Luxury Hotels Within 20 Minutes of the Stadium
Royal Mansour Marrakech
The benchmark. Owned by the Moroccan royal family, the Royal Mansour operates as a medina within a medina. Each of the 53 private riads spans three floors with rooftop terraces, plunge pools, and views of the Koutoubia minaret. Staff move through underground tunnels, appearing only when needed.
Ranked 13th in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 and Best Hotel in Africa. Three restaurants hold listings in La Liste 1000. The 2,500m² spa occupies its own building.
Distance to stadium: 15 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Total privacy between matches. You return to your own riad, not a hotel room. The medina location means walking to Jemaa el-Fnaa takes five minutes. Book through us: We hold allocation and can arrange private stadium transfers.
La Mamounia
The legend. Winston Churchill called Marrakech "the most beautiful place in the world" from his room here. La Mamounia has hosted royalty, celebrities, and discerning travelers since 1923. Jacques Garcia's redesign preserved the Art Deco bones while adding contemporary edge.
The 17-acre gardens date to the 18th century. The spa's gilded Moorish pool has launched a thousand Instagram posts. Four restaurants, four bars, a casino.
Distance to stadium: 12 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Central location at the edge of the medina. Walking distance to everything. The gardens provide an escape from match-day intensity. Book through us: We arrange Virtuoso perks including room upgrades, breakfast, and F&B credits.
The Oberoi Marrakech
Modern luxury on 28 acres of olive groves and citrus trees, with unobstructed Atlas Mountain views. The architecture pays homage to the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Every suite and villa includes a private pool.
The spa combines Moroccan hammam traditions with Ayurvedic treatments. Cooking classes with the executive chef. Tennis courts, kids' club, and the kind of space that larger hotels cannot offer.
Distance to stadium: 20 minutes by car Why for AFCON: If you want to decompress completely between matches, the Oberoi's grounds provide genuine retreat. The distance from the medina is a feature, not a bug.
Amanjena
"Peaceful paradise." The first Aman resort in Africa sits amid palm groves eight kilometers from the medina. Rose-pink pavilions surround a central basin. Each accommodation comes with its own courtyard and, in most cases, a private pool.
Aman's signature minimalism meets Moroccan craft. The Thai restaurant, the Moroccan restaurant, the spa, the sense of being somewhere entirely removed.
Distance to stadium: 18 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Complete escape. Amanjena guests want nothing from Marrakech except what they choose to seek out. Ideal for supporters traveling with partners who have limited interest in football. See our AFCON couples guide for more on balancing football and romance.
Selman Marrakech
Built around a passion for Arabian horses. The property breeds and trains purebred Arabians on-site. Watch them exercise from the restaurant terrace at sunset.
Contemporary Moroccan design, a 50-meter pool, grounds that feel more like an estate than a hotel. Closer to the stadium than medina properties but maintains strong connections to the city.
Distance to stadium: 10 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Shortest transfer to the Grand Stade. The equestrian angle distinguishes it from palace hotels.
Between Matches: Experiences Worth Your Time
Atlas Mountains Day Trip
The High Atlas begins an hour from Marrakech. December means snow on the peaks, mild temperatures in the valleys, and landscapes that bear no resemblance to the red city below.
Options range from light walking through Berber villages to more demanding treks. The Ourika Valley offers waterfalls and traditional lunch with a family. Imlil provides a base for Toubkal views. The Agafay desert, technically a rocky plateau, delivers Sahara aesthetics without the eight-hour drive.
We arrange: Private 4x4 transport, English or French-speaking guides, lunch in village homes or mountain lodges. Departures timed around your match schedule.
Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise
Lift off before dawn over the Palmeraie or Agafay desert. Watch the sun rise over the Atlas. Land to a Berber breakfast with mint tea and msemen.
December mornings are cool and still. The best flying conditions of the year.
We arrange: Private basket options for couples or small groups. Hotel pickup and return before midday.
Private Cooking Class
Moroccan cuisine is technically complex. Learning to layer spices for a tagine or fold pastilla properly takes instruction.
The best classes happen in private homes or riad kitchens, not tourist cooking schools. Shopping in the souk for ingredients, cooking with women who learned from their mothers, eating what you've made.
We arrange: Classes in English, French, or Arabic. Vegetarian and family-friendly options available.
Hammam and Spa
Every luxury hotel has a spa. But the traditional public hammam experience differs from hotel wellness.
We can arrange access to historic hammams with private hours, or guide you to the neighborhood hammams where Marrakchis actually go. Different experiences; both worth having.
Essaouira Day Trip
The Atlantic coast, 2.5 hours west. A walled Portuguese port town, seafood lunch by the harbor, galleries in the medina, windsurfers on the beach. A complete change of atmosphere from Marrakech.
Long for a day trip, but possible if you leave early. Better as an overnight between group stage and knockouts.
Getting to Marrakech
By Air
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) receives direct flights from major European and African cities.
From Europe: Direct from London (multiple airports), Paris (CDG and ORY), Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Frankfurt, and dozens more. Flight time 3-4 hours.
From Africa: Direct from Casablanca (45 minutes), connections through Casablanca from Lagos, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Accra.
The airport sits 6km from the medina. During AFCON, expect increased traffic on airport roads.
We arrange: Private airport transfers in Mercedes vehicles. Driver waiting at arrivals, direct to your hotel.
By Train
No direct high-speed service yet. The Al Boraq connects Tangier to Casablanca in 2h10. From Casablanca, conventional trains reach Marrakech in approximately 2h30.
Combined journey time from Tangier: approximately 5 hours with connection.
From Rabat: 4 hours by conventional train.
High-speed extension to Marrakech is under construction for 2030.
From Other Host Cities
- Casablanca: 2h30 by train, 2h45 by car
- Rabat: 4h by train, 3h30 by car
- Agadir: 3h by car (no direct train)
- Fes: 5h30 by car, 7h by train via Casablanca
We arrange: Private transfers between host cities. Flexible timing, door-to-door service, informed drivers who know match schedules. See our complete AFCON transfers guide for all options.
Match Day Logistics
Getting to the Stadium
The Grand Stade de Marrakech sits on Route de l'Ourika, the road toward the Atlas Mountains. Traffic on match days will be significant.
Private transfer: We collect you 2-3 hours before kickoff, navigate traffic, and wait through the match. Return directly to your hotel afterward.
Taxi: Expect inflated prices and difficulty finding return transport. Not recommended for evening matches.
Public transport: Limited. Bus routes exist but are infrequent and will be crowded.
What to Bring
December evenings cool quickly once the sun sets. Bring a jacket for night matches. Stadium seating is concrete.
Fan ID and match ticket on your phone or printed. Passport for identification checks.
Food and drink available inside, but queues will be long. Eat before arriving.
Post-Match
Night matches end around 22:00-23:00. The medina's restaurants and bars will be open but crowded. Hotel dining or room service may be preferable after a long evening.
We can arrange late-night transfers and restaurant reservations at properties that hold tables for clients.
Insider Tips
December weather: Days are mild (18-22°C), evenings cool (8-12°C). Layer. Rain is possible but infrequent.
The medina at night: Safe but disorienting. Accept that you'll get lost. The key landmarks (Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia) are always findable.
Tipping: Expected. 10-20 dirhams for small services, 10-15% at restaurants, more for exceptional guides.
Negotiating: Required in souks, inappropriate elsewhere. If a price is printed, it's fixed.
Alcohol: Available at hotel bars, licensed restaurants, and some riads. Not at cafés or most medina establishments.
Availability Note
December accommodation in Marrakech is booking quickly. The hotels listed above are holding limited allocation for our clients, but this won't last.
If you're attending group stage matches, book now. If you're waiting to see if your team advances to the Marrakech quarter-final, let us know your contingency dates and we'll hold options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Marrakech from Casablanca airport?
Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN) is 2h45 by car or 3+ hours by train. Marrakech has its own international airport (RAK) with extensive European connections.
Can I do a day trip to the Sahara from Marrakech?
No. The Sahara requires a minimum of two days, ideally three. The Agafay desert (1 hour) offers a desert experience without the long drive.
Is Marrakech walkable?
The medina is entirely walkable, though labyrinthine. New city (Guéliz) is walkable. Between neighborhoods and to attractions outside the medina, you'll need transport.
What should I wear to a match?
Casual. Team colors welcome. December evenings are cool, so bring layers. Comfortable shoes for concrete seating and walking to/from transport.
Marrakech Quick Reference
More AFCON 2025 Guides
Other Host Cities:
- Rabat Guide – Opening match, final, and Morocco's capital
- Tangier Guide – Largest stadium, where Africa meets Europe
- Casablanca Guide – International hub and knockout matches
- Fes Guide – Spiritual capital and UNESCO medina
- Agadir Guide – Beach resort and Atlas backdrop
Planning Guides:
- Private Transfers – Getting between host cities
- YALLA App Guide – Fan ID, visa, and entry requirements
- Luxury Experiences – 10 things to do between matches
- New Year's Eve – Celebrate during the group stage finale
Ready to Plan?
We've organized Marrakech stays for supporters from across Africa and Europe. The pattern is consistent: those who plan accommodation and experiences in advance have better trips than those who arrive and improvise.
We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Yalla Visit Morocco designs private travel experiences for visitors who want more than a surface-level tour. Marrakech is where we started. We know these hotels, these guides, these restaurants. Let us put that knowledge to work for your AFCON trip.