Tangier Grand Stadium
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 Interactive map of Tangier Grand Stadium | |
| Full name | Grand Stade de Tanger[1] |
|---|---|
| Address | Avenue des Forces Armées Royales |
| Location | Tangier, Morocco |
| Operator | Sonarges |
| Capacity | 75,500[2] |
| Surface | Hybrid grass |
| Field size | 108 × 71 m |
| Construction | |
| Built | September 2002 |
| Opened | April 26, 2011 |
| Renovated | 2023–25 |
| Construction cost | $360 million (2025 renovation)[3] |
| Architect | Cabinet Anouar Amaoui |
| Tenants | |
| Ittihad Tanger (2011–present) Morocco national football team (selected matches) | |
The Tangier Grand Stadium or commonly known as Ibn Batouta Stadium (Arabic: ملعب طنجة الكبير; Berber languages: ⴰⵏⵏⴰⵔ ⴰⵎⵇⵔⴰⵏ ⵏ ⵟⴰⵏⵊⴰ) is a stadium in Tangier, Morocco. It is used mostly for football matches and big events such as ceremonies or concerts. The stadium now has a legal capacity of 75,500[2] after renovation construction finished for hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. It serves as the new home of IR Tanger, replacing the former Stade de Marchan.
History
The inaugural match was played on 26 April 2011 between IR Tanger and Atlético Madrid B which was followed by a match between Raja CA and Atlético Madrid.[4] On July 27, the stadium hosted the 2011 Trophée des champions, in which Marseille beat Lille 5–4.[5]
When Morocco hosted the 2011 African U-23 Championship the stadium hosted six matches in the Group stage and one in the Semi-finals.
The Stade Ibn Battuta was one of the confirmed host stadiums for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which was to be hosted by Morocco until it was stripped of its hosting rights.[6]
The stadium hosted the 2017 Trophée des Champions for the second time on July 29, in which Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 2–1.[7][8]
When Morocco hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship the stadium hosted six matches in the Group stage and one in the Quarter-finals.
It hosted the 2018 Supercopa de España match between the Copa del Rey runners-up, Sevilla, and the winners of the 2017–18 Copa del Rey and 2017–18 La Liga, Barcelona, in which Barcelona beat Sevilla 2–1.[9][10]
It was one of the venues in Morocco's failed bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was slated to host the Quarter-Finals if Morocco had been awarded the World Cup.
It experienced a renovation to increase its capacity and change the exterior to host the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup. It was planned that the capacity will increase from 44,500 seats[11] to 65,000.[12] On 25 January 2023, it was confirmed that the stadium is ready to host the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.[13]
There are current studies to change the exterior of the stadium by making it fully covered, and removing the running tracks to increase its capacity to 87,000[14] before 2025 in conjunction with possibly hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup 2030, according to Abdelmalek Abron, a member of the FRMF and head of the Infrastructure Committee of the football system in Morocco.[15] After the Africa Cup they will go from 75.000 to 92.000 removing the first tier and redo it; also the old screens will get removed to add more chairs.
Football stadium specifications
Tangier Grand Stadium stands as one of Morocco’s most prominent modern sporting venues, following an extensive redevelopment program that increased its capacity to approximately 75,500 seats and aligned it with the standards of football-specific stadiums required for FIFA 2030. The renovation works encompassed structural enhancements, expanded stands, and the installation of a roof covering the seating areas, along with upgraded lighting and broadcasting systems designed to support high-quality match transmission. The architectural redesign also focused on improving spectator access through organized circulation routes, ensuring smooth movement and enhanced safety during major events.
The stadium features comprehensive, high-end hospitality facilities, including dedicated seating for distinguished guests, VIP and VVIP lounges, and 142 skyboxes distributed across multiple levels. It also houses reception halls and furnished hospitality suites, in addition to a fully equipped media room and press booths capable of accommodating more than two hundred journalists in conditions suitable for live international broadcasting. Advanced technical systems were installed throughout the venue, including two giant screens of roughly 220 m² each, a 700-meter perimeter LED display, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a centralized control room supported by nearly 900 surveillance cameras covering all areas of the stadium to ensure the highest security standards.
The pitch itself is fitted with a hybrid grass surface—combining natural grass with synthetic fibers—to guarantee durability and consistent performance. Team facilities include four modern dressing rooms, treatment and recovery rooms, indoor warm-up areas, and an extensive mixed zone for post-match media interactions. Externally, the stadium benefits from convenient transportation links due to its proximity to airports and major highways, and it is equipped with multiple parking zones of varying capacities: around 400 spaces for VVIPs, up to 700 for VIPs, and approximately 3,000 for the general public. Additional accessibility features, such as elevators and adapted pathways, ensure smooth access for persons with disabilities.
International events
2022 FIFA Club World Cup
| Date | Local time | Team No. 1 | Result | Team No. 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 February 2023 | 20:00 |  Al Ahly |
3–0 |  Auckland City |
First round | 47,317 |
| 4 February 2023 | 18:30 |  Seattle Sounders FC |
0–1 | Al Ahly |
Second round | 30,589 |
| 7 February 2023 | 20:30 |  Flamengo |
2–3 |  Al-Hilal |
Semi-finals | 42,496 |
| 11 February 2023 | 16:30 | Al Ahly |
2–4 | Flamengo |
Third place match | 30,216 |
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
| Date | Local time | Team No. 1 | Result | Team No. 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 December 2025 | 16:00 |  Senegal |
3–0 |  Botswana |
Group stage | 18,591 |
| 27 December 2025 | 16:00 | Senegal |
1–1 |  DR Congo |
Group stage | 41,672 |
| 30 December 2025 | 20:00 |  Benin |
0–3 | Senegal |
Group stage | 26,707 |
| 3 January 2026 | 17:00 | Senegal |
3–1 |  Sudan |
Round of 16 | 30,045 |
| 9 January 2026 | 17:00 |  Mali |
0–1 | Senegal |
Quarter-finals | 32,385 |
| 14 January 2026 | 18:00 | Senegal |
1–0 | Egypt |
Semi-finals | 52,079 |
International matches for Morocco national football team
| 14 August 2013 Friendly | Morocco  | 1–2 |  Burkina Faso | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tanger |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Barrada  64' |
Report | Referee: Malang Diedhiou (Senegal) [1] |
| 27 May 2016 Friendly | Morocco | 2–0 |  Congo | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| 19:00 UTC+1 | Ziyech 4', 55' (pen.) |
Report | Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
| 26 March 2019 Friendly | Morocco | 0–1 |  Argentina | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| 20:00 (UTC+1) | Report | Correa 83' |
Attendance: 35.000 [2] Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia) |
| 15 October 2019 Friendly | Morocco | 2–3 |  Gabon | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| 19:00 (UTC+1) | Amrabat 32', 69' (pen.) |
Report | Boupendza 22' Bouanga 48'Chebake 80' (o.g.) |
Attendance: 28,000 [3] Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
| 25 March 2023 Friendly | Morocco | 2–1 | Brazil | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tanger |
| 22:00 UTC+0 | Report | Casemiro 67' |
Attendance: 63.500 [4] Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia) |
| 14 October 2025 Friendly | Morocco | 1–0 |  Mozambique | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tanger |
| 20:00 UTC+1 |
|
Report | Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Moussa Diou (Mauritania) |
| 18 October 2025 Friendly | Morocco | 4–0 |  Uganda | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tanger |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Referee: Ousmane Diakate (Mali) |
See also
- List of football stadiums in Morocco
- List of African stadiums by capacity
- List of association football stadiums by capacity
- Lists of stadiums
External links
References
- ^ "Grand Stade de Tanger revamped as Morocco prepares for 2030 FIFA World Cup". Anadolu Agency. 1 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Le Grand Stade de Tanger: Le plus grand stade de la CAN 2025" (in French). SNRT. 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Grand Stade de Tanger : livraison prévue pour fin septembre". medias24.com (in French). 1 September 2025.
- ^ "Opening Ceremony of Morocco new stadiums 2011". goalzz.com. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "OM lift trophy after frantic finish". FIFA.com. 27 July 2011.
- ^ "South Africa Chosen to Host Soccer's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations". Bloomberg.com. 29 January 2011.
- ^ "Le Trophée des champions 2017 à Tanger". BeInSports. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ "PSG down Monaco 2-1 to lift French Champions Trophy". France24. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ "Game FC Barcelona – Sevilla FC". La Liga. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "Ousmane Dembélé's wondergoal seals Spanish Super Cup for Barcelona". Guardian. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ Bidding Nation Morocco 2026. Royal Moroccan Football Federation. March 2018. pp. 91–151.
- ^ "Tangier Stadium sees major repairs ahead of Club World Cup". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
- ^ "In Pictures: Tangier's Ibn Batouta stadium ready to host FIFA Club World Cup 2022". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ "Tangier's Grand Stadium grows with a view to the 2030 World Cup". 12 February 2024.
- ^ "مسؤول جامعي: "سعة ملعب طنجة ستصبح أكثر من 80 ألف مشجع خلال كان 2025" - هبة بريس". ar.hibapress.com (in Arabic). 31 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
35°44′28″N 5°51′29″W / 35.741211°N 5.858105°W
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