Uganda’s CHAN 2024 Tickets Most Expensive in East Africa

Uganda has emerged as the most expensive host country for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Ticket prices at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, are significantly higher than those in co-hosts Kenya and Tanzania.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is handling ticket sales and has standardised ticket categories across the three East African host countries.

Ticket prices range from $1 to $3.

However, currency conversions show significant pricing differences, making Uganda the most expensive option for attending matches.

In Uganda, regular tickets cost UGX 10,000, VIP at UGX 30,000, and VVIP at UGX 50,000.

In Kenya, fans will pay roughly UGX5,400 (KSh 200), UGX13,500 (KSh 500), and UGX 27,000 (KSh 1,000) for the respective tiers.

Tanzania offers the lowest rates of UGX 3,000 (TSh 2,000) for regular, UGX 7,500 for VIP (TSh 5,000), and UGX 15,000 (TSh 10,000) for VVIP.

Officials have defended the pricing based on value, emphasising that a single ticket grants access to two back-to-back matches on matchday.

At the CHAN tournament launch, President Museveni framed the tournament as a vehicle for regional integration.

He also said the tournament would help Uganda build sports diplomacy and a long-term infrastructure legacy.

“This is the first time in years that Namboole is fully open to the public. Fans get two high-quality matches for a single ticket,” said David Katende, Assistant Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports.

“We’re not just selling football,  we’re selling an experience.”

However, industry analysts argue that while the “two-for-one” deal appears to add value on paper, the raw pricing still makes Uganda the least affordable host.

“Even with the double-matchday access, the entry point for a Ugandan fan is significantly higher than in Kenya or Tanzania,” said Simon Mulindwa, a sports marketing consultant.

“For many grassroots supporters, UGX 10,000 is a stretch.”

Spending big

Uganda’s pricing model appears to be tied to cost-recovery objectives.

Government has invested over UGX 97 billion ($26 million) in renovating Mandela National Stadium.

The UPDF Engineering Brigade oversaw the renovation works.

Uganda is also constructing a new Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira as part of its CHAN and AFCON 2027 commitments.

These investments are being framed by officials as necessary legacy projects that will elevate Uganda’s sports infrastructure for years to come.

However, they also come with a political cost, particularly if high prices dampen public enthusiasm or limit turnout.

“This pricing suggests a revenue-first approach,” said a senior executive at Nile Special, a key sponsor of CHAN 2024.

“But sponsors don’t want empty seats. For branding and broadcasting, we need packed stadiums. Pricing fans out is bad business.”

Regional pricing strategies reflect different priorities

The three CHAN co-hosts have adopted contrasting pricing philosophies.

Tanzania, where football enjoys mass following, has opted for deep subsidies to drive stadium attendance particularly.

With larger stadium capacities and a high football culture, Tanzania’s LOC is banking on volume to sustain event revenues.

Kenya, facing political sensitivities ahead of its next general election, has chosen a mid-range pricing strategy that balances affordability with fiscal accountability.

Uganda, in contrast, is leaning into its infrastructure-heavy investment and betting that patriotism and premium experiences will justify higher prices.

CAF has indicated that ticket prices could be reviewed after the group stages, depending on fan response.

“We want full stadiums,” said a CAF official familiar with the planning. “If uptake is slow, we will advise accordingly.”

Is the strategy misaligned with market realities?

Uganda’s LOC has described the UGX 10,000 entry fees as “modest”.

But critics argue that pricing is misaligned with broader income levels.

According to 2023 national household data, over 60% of Ugandans live on less than UGX 20,000 per day.

This raises concerns that CHAN 2024 could become a tournament for the middle class and corporate elites, rather than the everyday football fans.

“Football is a people’s game. If you price it like a corporate gala, you lose the magic,” said James Ssemboga, a football historian and columnist.

“CHAN is supposed to be a festival. The pricing, at least in Uganda, is out of sync with that spirit.”

Beyond the stadium

Uganda’s broader bet is that CHAN and later AFCON 2027 will cement its position as a serious sports destination.

Officials have pitched the tournament as a catalyst for tourism, job creation, and soft power.

But the early signs suggest that the economics of fan participation remain a weak link in the strategy.

While Uganda has made the boldest infrastructure commitment among the three hosts, it now has to prove that high investment can coexist with wide access.

If the stands at Namboole are half-empty when Uganda plays Algeria in group stage, the pricing debate may quickly shift from strategy to failure.