Marrakech is the city every traveller has heard of: the Red City, the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks, the Atlas Mountains on the horizon and a football stadium that will host World Cup matches in 2030. For fans, Marrakech offers the most exotic matchday of the tournament — a game in the morning, a rooftop dinner in the medina at night, and the sound of the square below. But it is also the hottest host city, and the one that demands the most planning, from heat to haggling to getting around a medina that has no street names.

The stadium: Stade de Marrakech

The Stade de Marrakech is a large, modern arena on the northern edge of the city, built for major tournaments and already used for African and international football. It is one of Morocco's flagship venues for 2030, and its final role — which matches it hosts — will only be confirmed when FIFA finalises the stadium list, expected around December 2026. Until then, fans should treat any fixture talk about Marrakech as unconfirmed.

Getting to the stadium takes planning: it sits well outside the medina, and on matchdays shuttle buses run from the main transport hubs. Taxis are plentiful but drivers will quote inflated prices on matchdays, so agree the fare before you get in or use a ride-hailing app. Arrive early, because the roads around the stadium get very congested, and after the match the queues for transport back to the centre can be long.

The medina, the square and the souks

The Jemaa el-Fnaa is the beating heart of Marrakech: a vast square of storytellers, snake charmers, food stalls and musicians that comes alive at sunset. Around it, the souks are a maze of alleys selling leather, lamps, spices and textiles, and getting lost in them is half the pleasure. The Koutoubia mosque dominates the skyline, and the Majorelle Garden — a blue oasis created by the artist Jacques Majorelle — is the perfect escape from the heat.

For fans, the medina is the place to be on non-matchdays, but it needs care: the alleys are confusing, the sellers are persistent, and the heat is intense. Haggle with a smile and a sense of humour, keep your bag in front of you in the crowds, and agree prices before you sit down at a cafe in the square. A rooftop restaurant above the Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset is one of the great experiences of any World Cup trip.

Food, drink and where to stay

Marrakech is a food lover's city. The night market in the Jemaa el-Fnaa serves grilled meats, tagines and fresh orange juice from dozens of stalls, while the restaurants of the medina and the new town offer everything from street food to fine dining. Try the tanjia — a slow-cooked beef dish that is Marrakech's signature — and the mint tea that is poured from a great height in every cafe.

For accommodation, a riad inside the medina is the classic Marrakech experience: a traditional house around a courtyard, often with a rooftop terrace and a plunge pool. The new town of Guéliz suits fans who want modern hotels and easier transport. Prices will rise sharply during the tournament, so book early, and confirm that your riad can arrange airport transfers, because finding a medina address at night is not easy.

Matchday tips: surviving the heat and the medina

Marrakech in June and July is extremely hot, with afternoon temperatures often above 40 degrees, and the dry heat is deceptive — you can dehydrate quickly without realising it. Daytime matches will be punishing for unprepared fans: carry water at all times, wear a hat and sunscreen, and rest in the shade during the hottest hours. Evening matches are far more comfortable, and the city comes alive after dark.

The golden rule for Marrakech is to plan your day around the heat and the medina. Explore in the morning, rest in the afternoon, and head to the stadium in the late afternoon. Use the shuttle buses and agree taxi fares in advance. And as with every host city, buy your tickets only through FIFA.com — the square will be full of people offering tickets, and none of them are genuine.

Marrakech in 2030 will be the World Cup's most exotic stop: a great stadium, a medina that never sleeps, and matchdays played out under the Atlas Mountains. Plan for the heat, book a riad early, and let the Red City do the rest.