AFCON 2025: CAF gives Morocco historic permission to deploy Spidercam

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given the green light for the deployment of Spidercam technology across all nine stadiums set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

This marks the first time in AFCON history that the advanced aerial camera system will be used throughout an entire tournament.

The Spidercam system, renowned for delivering spectacular aerial shots and immersive angles, has previously been featured in elite global competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.

The Spidercam system suspends a high-definition or 4K broadcast camera from cables attached to four high points in the stadium, allowing it to fly over the pitch with complete freedom.

It is operated by two technicians, one for movement and another for framing, with live video transmitted via fibre-optic cables.

The system includes safety features such as: anti-collision sensors, emergency braking systems and redundant motors and power sources.

In Morocco, however, its use isn’t entirely new; the National Broadcasting and Television Company (SNRT) successfully deployed the system during the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2023 Morocco-Brazil friendly.

SNRT launched a public tender on July 30 for the full-scale deployment of Spidercam systems, with an estimated project cost of MAD 9.5 million (approx. $957,000 USD).

The rollout will span across all nine stadiums chosen for AFCON 2025. The allocated budgets for Spidercam deployment per venue are: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat – MAD 1.43 million, Olympic Stadium, Rabat – MAD 844,332, Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat – MAD 827,964, El Barid Stadium, Rabat – MAD 658,176, Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca – MAD 1.37 million, Grand Stadium, Marrakech – MAD 1.21 million, Adrar Stadium, Agadir – MAD 1.21 million, Fez Stadium – MAD 850,140 and Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier – MAD 1.16 million.

A successful full-scale test was conducted on June 9 during the Morocco vs. Benin friendly at the Fez Stadium.

In another historic twist, CAF has entrusted SNRT, Morocco’s national broadcaster, with full production rights for the AFCON 2025 matches.

This is a first for any host country in the history of the tournament and signals CAF’s growing confidence in African broadcasting institutions.

According to internal SNRT sources, all Spidercam systems are expected to be fully installed and tested at least four days before the tournament kicks off on December 21, 2025. Coordination with international production partners and CAF is already underway.

Morocco’s massive investment in infrastructure and broadcasting technology is also seen as a strategic move ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.