For the first time in the history of African football, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), hosted by Morocco, will be entirely filmed using Spidercam technology.
This groundbreaking move signifies a major technological leap for sports broadcasting on the continent.
SNRT, Morocco’s official national radio and television company and the official broadcaster for AFCON 2025, is investing nearly €950,000 (approximately 9.5 million Moroccan Dirhams) to equip all nine tournament stadiums. This substantial investment reinforces the Kingdom’s ambition to solidify its position as a major player in hosting international sporting events.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will witness an unprecedented technological breakthrough in African sports broadcasting. SNRT has confirmed the installation of the Spidercam system in all nine venues. This innovative system, which suspends a camera by cables, allowing it to hover over the pitch, promises an immersive visual experience on par with major European football events.
The Spidercam was successfully tested on June 9th at the Fez stadium during a friendly match between Morocco and Benin, where its dynamic slow-motion footage and spectacular camera angles garnered significant praise. Its full deployment across all AFCON 2025 matches marks a historic first for the competition. Furthermore, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has chosen to entrust audiovisual production to a national broadcaster (SNRT), another innovation that underscores the growing confidence placed in Morocco’s capabilities.
Investment breakdown and technical details
A call for tenders launched on July 30th detailed the budget allocations per venue: Rabat: 1.43 million dirhams, Casablanca: 1.37 million dirhams, Marrakech and Agadir: 1.21 million dirhams each, Tangier: 1.16 million dirhams, and secondary stadiums: between 650,000 and 850,000 dirhams each.
The six host cities include Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangiers. Rabat, the capital, will notably host four equipped stadiums, including the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and El Barid Stadium.
Each Spidercam system must be fully operational at each venue at least four days before kickoff to allow for comprehensive technical testing and broadcast adjustments. The system itself comprises a gyro-stabilized camera suspended by four motorized cables, capable of capturing images in HD or 4K. Its operation requires two technicians: one to control the camera’s movements and another to monitor the image feed. The feeds are transmitted live via fiber optics, and the system incorporates several safety features, including emergency braking, anti-collision sensors, and a dual power supply.
Morocco’s strategic vision for sports hosting
By integrating such advanced broadcasting technology, Morocco is significantly enhancing its status as an African hub for sports organization. With the 2030 FIFA World Cup in mind, which the country will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal, this upgrade in audiovisual tools is part of a broader national strategy to modernize infrastructure and professionalize all event-related sectors.
The collaboration with international technical service providers reflects Morocco’s commitment to excellence and a strategic vision: to make AFCON 2025 a technological showcase for the entire continent. This initiative also aims to firmly position SNRT as a key player in the audiovisual production of major sporting events across Africa.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/abj/APA