Tangier Grand Stadium

Football stadium in Tangier, Morocco From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Full nameGrand Stade de Tanger[1]
AddressAvenue des Forces Armées Royales
LocationTangier, Morocco
OperatorSonarges
Quick facts Full name, Address ...
Tangier Grand Stadium
Interactive map of Tangier Grand Stadium
Full nameGrand Stade de Tanger[1]
AddressAvenue des Forces Armées Royales
LocationTangier, Morocco
OperatorSonarges
Capacity75,500[2]
SurfaceHybrid grass
Field size108 × 71 m
Construction
BuiltSeptember 2002
OpenedApril 26, 2011
Renovated2023–25
Construction cost$360 million (2025 renovation)[3]
ArchitectCabinet Anouar Amaoui
Tenants
Ittihad Tanger (2011present)
Morocco national football team (selected matches)
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History

Aerial view of the Stadium - December 2025

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]

The stadium in 2018 before renovation

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

More information Date, Local time ...
Date Local time Team No. 1 Result Team No. 2 Round Attendance
1 February 202320:00Egypt Al Ahly3–0New Zealand Auckland CityFirst round47,317
4 February 202318:30United States Seattle Sounders FC0–1Egypt Al AhlySecond round30,589
7 February 202320:30Brazil Flamengo2–3Saudi Arabia Al-HilalSemi-finals42,496
11 February 202316:30Egypt Al Ahly2–4Brazil FlamengoThird place match30,216
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2025 Africa Cup of Nations

More information Date, Local time ...
Date Local time Team No. 1 Result Team No. 2 Round Attendance
23 December 202516:00 Senegal3–0 BotswanaGroup stage18,591
27 December 202516:00 Senegal1–1 DR CongoGroup stage41,672
30 December 202520:00 Benin0–3 SenegalGroup stage26,707
3 January 202617:00 Senegal3–1 SudanRound of 1630,045
9 January 202617:00 Mali0–1 SenegalQuarter-finals32,385
14 January 202618:00 Senegal1–0 EgyptSemi-finals52,079
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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)
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
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
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
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

References

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