Casablanca – Rabat has unveiled a sporting landmark that is already drawing global attention: the newly rebuilt Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, inaugurated in September 2025 by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Rising from complete demolition in 2023 and two years of reconstruction, the venue now stands as one of Africa’s most modern and prestigious football arenas, built to FIFA 2030 standards and designed with a clear purpose—to place Morocco firmly among the world’s elite sporting nations.

The reconstruction of the stadium was carried out to provide Morocco with world-class infrastructure ahead of two major events: the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025, hosted by Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Capacity, comfort, and state-of-the-art design

The stadium now accommodates 68,700 spectators, making it one of the largest venues in Africa. It has been redesigned exclusively for football, with the athletics track removed, ensuring optimal proximity between the pitch and the stands.

Hospitality and comfort have been given particular attention:

  • 110 private boxes, plus five lounges offering 5,400 seats, with additional VIP and VVIP sections.
  • A dedicated zone for persons with reduced mobility.
  • Four modern locker rooms, designed to maximize comfort, functionality, and player recovery.
  • Spacious showers, recovery areas, and preparation zones, along with a next-generation multidisciplinary clinic serving both players and fans.

The complex also includes a large media center, a conference hall, and three meeting rooms, ensuring it is equally suited to international sporting events and professional gatherings.

Advanced technology and hybrid pitch

At the heart of the new design is Africa’s first hybrid natural pitch, which combines real grass with synthetic fibers. This innovative surface guarantees optimal drainage, durability, and resistance while ensuring safety for players and rapid recovery of the field after use.

A specialized maintenance team oversees the turf, ensuring it meets FIFA and CAF requirements. Alongside the main pitch, the stadium complex includes a secondary athletics field with natural grass for training and competitions.

The infrastructure also incorporates the latest technology:

  • A FIFA Standard A lighting system, offering perfect visibility for high-definition television broadcasts.
  • Two giant screens and a perimeter LED display, ensuring fans enjoy an immersive experience.
  • A sophisticated sound system delivering uniform, high-quality audio throughout the venue.
  • A surveillance network of 800 AI-powered cameras, reinforcing safety at all times.

Accessibility and surrounding infrastructure

Accessibility was a priority in the redesign. The stadium is now served by:

  • Five new overpasses and six parking areas, including spaces dedicated to VIPs, VVIPs, and FIFA operations.
  • Safe pedestrian access routes, through tunnels and bridges connecting the complex to surrounding districts.
  • Dedicated fan assistance teams, ensuring smooth entry and efficient crowd management.

The venue also includes five brand activation zones, providing commercial and interactive experiences for visitors. Food services are guaranteed by a central kitchen and satellite kitchens, ensuring efficient, high-quality catering for tens of thousands of fans.

Beyond the main stadium

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex extends far beyond the main football arena. It also houses:

  • The Rabat Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 21,000 spectators.
  • The Prince Moulay Abdellah Indoor Arena, seating 10,000 people.
  • A full Olympic swimming pool built to international specifications.

This broader vision cements the complex as a multisport hub, ensuring year-round use for a variety of disciplines while reinforcing Rabat’s position as a leading sports city.

International recognition and the road to 2030

The opening of the stadium immediately captured international headlines. Spanish daily Marca highlighted its 68,700-seat capacity and modern design, describing it as a likely candidate to host a World Cup semifinal in 2030. The newspaper praised the venue as one of Africa’s most advanced infrastructures, placing it firmly on the map of global football.

The facility’s readiness for CAN 2025 also reassures the Confederation of African Football, which had placed strong emphasis on Morocco’s ability to provide world-class venues for the competition. The Rabat stadium is now expected to host some of the most important matches of the tournament, before turning its focus to the 2030 World Cup.

A symbol of Morocco’s sporting future

From its cutting-edge hybrid pitch to its hospitality suites and world-class security systems, the new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is more than a venue—it is a national symbol of ambition and modernity. It reflects Morocco’s readiness to host the world’s biggest competitions, while also honoring the work of the thousands of Moroccan engineers, workers, and specialists who built it.

As the countdown begins for CAN 2025 and later the World Cup 2030, the Rabat stadium is poised to become one of the central stages of global football. More than just a structure of steel and concrete, it is a monument to Morocco’s sporting aspirations and its determination to shine on the international stage.