RABAT, Morocco — Moroccan football supporters have voiced growing frustration at the Africa Cup of Nations after empty seats were once again visible in stadiums officially declared sold out, raising concerns over ticketing practices and access for local fans, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The issue was evident on Friday when Morocco faced Mali at the 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Despite tickets for the match being sold out, large sections of seating remained unoccupied. Morocco and neighbouring Algeria are the only teams whose group-stage matches have officially sold out, yet attendance figures have failed to reflect that demand.
“I tried to log in to the ticketing site early, but too many people were connected at the same time and I couldn’t get a place,” Morocco supporter Amin Mazraoui told AP outside the stadium before kickoff. “It was completely full.”
Another fan, Hicham, said he encountered the same problem on the official ticketing platform, with tickets disappearing almost instantly, forcing him to watch the match from home.
Official figures put attendance at Friday’s game at 63,844 — higher than the opening match and ceremony at the same venue — but still short of a full house.
Supporters have blamed ticket touts for bulk-buying seats for high-profile matches and reselling them on the black market at inflated prices. Reports suggested tickets originally priced at 50 euros ($59) were being resold for as much as 500 euros ($590).
“There are people connecting with 10 or even 15 computers at the same time and buying large numbers of seats,” Mazraoui said. “That’s why ordinary fans can’t get tickets.”
All ticket holders, including journalists, are required to register and present identification through a local digital application known as Yalla to enter stadiums. While the system was designed to curb fraud, it may also be complicating the transfer of tickets, leaving some seats unused.
Not all fans were priced out. One supporter, who gave his name only as Khalid, said he paid 100 Moroccan dirhams (about $11) for his ticket. He noted that ticket prices remain far lower than those in Europe and are incomparable to the costs expected for the 2026 World Cup.
Similar issues have been reported at other matches. Only 16,115 fans attended Algeria’s game against Sudan at the 22,000-capacity Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, despite the match being declared sold out in advance. Some supporters waited outside venues after hearing rumours of free entry after kickoff, with security at certain stadiums opening gates late to boost attendance.
“They won’t open the gates for Morocco,” Mazraoui said.
Attendance figures at other matches have also been revised. The crowd for Congo’s game against Benin at the 18,000-capacity Stade El Barid in Rabat was initially reported as 6,000 before being corrected to 13,000. Heavy rain has further discouraged fans from attending some fixtures.
In Tangier, the 68,000-seat Grand Stade de Tanger appeared largely empty on Tuesday despite an official attendance of 18,500 for Senegal’s match against Botswana.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament’s organisers, did not respond to a request for comment from AP regarding the ticketing concerns.
