What to wear to the Stadium!

Hi y’all!

Happy New Year 2026. Before starting the first post of this year, I would like to wish you blessings upon blessings for the year ahead. May it be better than 2025. And as always, thank you for reading me.

It’s AFCON season! For those who might not know, AFCON stands for the Africa Cup of Nations, a major football (soccer) competition held every two years and proudly bringing the entire continent together. This year, the tournament is hosted by Morocco, having kicked off in mid-December 2025 and running through mid-Janurary 2026.

 I haven’t been that invested in the matches this year. Between the holiday season and hosting guests from overseas, football kind of took a back seat. Truth be told, I’m a casual football viewer at best. I usually make an effort during the World Cup and AFCON, but I’m not the type who follows every match religiously.

I also don’t have much experience watching games at the stadium. In my 45 years on this earth, I can count maybe three or four times—tops!—and that includes the one World Cup match I once attended (yes, I wrote about it, you can read it here). Still, I think that’s enough experience to confidently share my thoughts on what makes a good stadium outfit.

Let’s start with the reality of going to a stadium. It’s not exactly a walk in the park. I will let you know all about my ordeal attending a soccer game in Dakar in a future post. Some cities may be more organised, but generally speaking, stadium access can be challenging. Expect long walks, queues, standing for long periods, and lots of jumping and cheering. All that to say: comfort is key.

The classic choice? A team jersey. That’s the norm. In Senegal, people even personalise their jerseys with their names or funny messages like “So-and-so’s husband” or a nickname. A jersey isn’t just clothing—it’s identity. It tells people who you’re rooting for, and it creates an instant bond. You spot your people in the crowd, cheer together, suffer together, celebrate together. 

No jersey? No problem. You can always wear your team’s colours. Senegal’s flag is green, yellow, and red, and our team usually plays in green or white. Honestly, any of those colours work just fine. You can also add small accessories—hats, headbands, flags—often sold everywhere, including outside the stadium. They’re fun, festive, and usually much cheaper than a jersey.

My ideal stadium outfit? Simple and practical: a jersey, jeans, and sneakers. If there’s no jersey, a T-shirt or bodysuit works perfectly. Depending on the weather, I’d throw on a zip-up hoodie or a denim jacket. For accessories, a small crossbody bag is a must. Trust me, you do not want to be carrying a huge bag while navigating crowds.

Now, I’ve seen some ladies show up to the stadium in dresses, short skirts and heels, in other words: fancy sexy attire. And hey, to each their own. If they’re comfortable, who am I to judge? That said, a football match isn’t really the place to flex or be uptight. It’s about letting loose, shouting, jumping, and fully enjoying the moment. That’s why I personally wouldn’t recommend tight dresses or gowns. You’ll be moving constantly, surrounded by people, and the last thing you want is to feel self-conscious or distracted by tugging and adjusting your outfit. If you must wear a dress, focus on Jersey or knit-type tank dress that you can pair with a jacket. These dresses can be sexy, but they also allow movement. 

Finally, a word of warning from experience: leave certain items at home. In Dakar, it’s forbidden to enter the stadium with perfumes, deodorants, or any liquids—even water. Power banks and similar electronics are also banned (phones are allowed), and outside food isn’t permitted either. Sadly, there are no locker rooms to store these items, at least not here in Senegal. If you bring them, you may have to turn back—or say goodbye to them altogether.

So yeah, dress smart, stay comfortable, and most importantly, enjoy the game. AFCON is a vibe, after all!