Group Charters for Football Teams: AFCON 2025

Transporting a nations football team to the tournament is therefore a matter of pride as well as a complex operation that requires the highest levels of expertise.

Coordinating travel for players, coaches, and support staff can be logistically challenging. That’s before you factor in kit and equipment too! In the IMEA (India, Middle East, and Africa) region, where infrastructure and flight availability vary, delivery can be even more complex.

The challenge

Group air charters for football teams offer a customised solution as it provides national teams with the standards needed to keep players focused on the tournament. With AFCON 2025 set to kick off in Morocco in December 2025, now is the time to plan travel to the tournament for your national team.

Chapman Freeborn has over 50 years of experience in handling sports team travel planning and can deliver world-class solutions for your squad. We offer expert advice on aircraft and route selection to ensure your team arrives in comfort and style.

Why group charters are essential for football teams

Football team travel requires elements that commercial flights can’t handle with rigid schedules, long layovers, and crowded terminals. For squads needing to arrive fresh, group charters address these challenges offering:

• Direct routes: Skip layovers and fly directly to your destination, minimising travel time and maximising player recovery.
• Flexible scheduling: Charters can adapt to your team’s schedule, accommodating last-minute changes or adverse weather conditions.
• Privacy & security: Private terminals and dedicated aircraft ensure your team travels discreetly, protecting high-profile players from public exposure.
• Team cohesion: Keep players, coaches, and staff together in a single aircraft, fostering team spirit and simplifying the process.

The benefits of group charter for sports teams goes beyond convenience with studies showing that reduced travel fatigue can enhance athletic performance and giving teams a much-needed competitive edge.

Recent trends in UEFA and CAF tournaments have highlighted a surge in demand for private jet charters as teams prioritize player well-being and operational efficiency. For IMEA-based teams, where commercial flight options are often limited, football team charter flights are a necessity for driving performance.

Unique travel challenges for AFCON & international fixtures across IMEA

The IMEA region presents unique logistical hurdles for soccer team travel, particularly for AFCON 2025. Morocco’s hosting of the tournament spans six cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier. Some key challenges can include:

• Limited direct flights: Travel across Africa is notoriously complex, with only 20% of African cities connected by direct commercial flights. Teams traveling to Morocco from neighbouring African countries often face multiple connections, leading to delays and fatigue for players.
• Visa & entry requirements: Navigating visa processes can be time-consuming, with varying regulations complicating team movements.
• Tight match schedules: AFCON’s condensed schedule, with matches across multiple venues, demands rapid transfers between cities. Commercial flights rarely align with these needs.
• Equipment: Transporting bulky gear such as medical kits, training equipment, and team kit requires specialized handling, which commercial airlines may struggle to accommodate.

With over five decades of experience, Chapman Freeborn Airchartering can secure special permissions, coordinate with local authorities, and manage ground logistics to ensure smooth transitions.

For AFCON 2025, our team can arrange flights to key venues and training bases ensuring your squad arrives on time and ready to compete. Our expertise in sports charter coordination in Africa makes us the go-to partner for navigating the region’s unique challenges.

How Chapman Freeborn supports football teams

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering delivers end-to-end group charter solutions tailored to the needs of football teams. Our services include:

• Aircraft selection: Choose from a range of aircraft, from regional jets for smaller squads to wide-body aircraft for larger delegations, ensuring space for players, staff, and equipment.
• 24/7 operations: Our global operations team monitors flights around the clock, providing real-time updates and rapid responses to any disruptions.
• Custom catering & branding: We can organise team-specific catering, from performance-focused meals to cultural preferences, while we can also personalize the aircraft with your nations branding for a professional team experience.
• VIP & medical support: We accommodate VIPs, such as sponsors or federation officials, and provide medical staff with dedicated space for in-flight care.
• Religious practices: We can organise dedicated spaces at terminals and aircraft for prayer and other religious practices, ensuring cultural nuances are met.
• Timely coordination: We work closely with federations, event organizers, and ground handlers to streamline every aspect of your journey, from airport transfers to customs clearance.
• Onboard technology: We can organise audio-visual requirements for team briefings to ensure time together can be maximised.

International Fixtures – Beyond AFCON

While AFCON 2025 is a focal point, football teams in the IMEA region face ongoing travel needs for World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies, youth tournaments, and club competitions such as the CAF Champions League.

• World Cup qualifiers: With nine CAF teams qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, teams will need reliable travel for matches across Africa and beyond.
• Friendlies & youth tournaments: From COSAFA Cup to U-20 AFCON, charters accommodate multi-leg tours, allowing teams to hop between cities without the hassle of commercial schedules.
• Popular routes: Our global network ensures key connections to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Charters are ideal for last-minute schedule changes, a frequent issue in international fixtures. Whether it’s a sudden venue shift or an added friendly, Chapman Freeborn’s team charter flights for tournaments and fixtures adapt to keep your squad on track.

Lead the way through sustainability

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword as it is a priority for sports organizations and sponsors in the global spotlight. Group charters for soccer teams offer what can sometimes be a surprisingly green alternative to commercial flights. By consolidating players, staff, and equipment into a single, fuel-efficient aircraft, charters reduce per-person emissions compared to multiple commercial bookings.

Chapman Freeborn is committed to sustainable aviation, and we prioritize modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Where possible, we optimize flight routes to minimize fuel consumption, navigating the IMEA’s complex airspace.

FAQs

What is the booking process for a football team charter?
Booking with Chapman Freeborn is simple. All you need to do is contact our sports charter specialists, provide your team’s party size, itinerary, and special requirements. From there we’ll propose tailored aircraft options to best suit your journey. Once confirmed, we handle all logistics, from permits to ground transfers.

How are equipment and luggage handled?
We ensure cargo space for training gear, medical equipment, and team luggage. Our team coordinates with airports to streamline loading and unloading, with dedicated staff to handle oversized or sensitive items.

Can charters accommodate fans or VIPs?
Yes, we can configure aircraft to include space for fans, sponsors, or VIPs, with options for premium seating and exclusive amenities to enhance their experience in relation to any competitions or promotions.

How far in advance should teams book for major tournaments?
For events such as AFCON 2025, we recommend booking 6-12 months in advance to secure preferred aircraft and slots, especially given high demand during major tournaments. However, our 24/7 team can accommodate last-minute requests when needed.

Next steps

As the excitement builds for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, football teams across the IMEA region need to choose between the complexities of commercial travel or opt for the reliability and flexibility of group air charters.

Chapman Freeborn’s decades of experience in sports team logistics, combined with our deep understanding of the IMEA region’s unique challenges, make us the trusted partner for national teams, clubs, federations, and travel managers. From direct flights to custom catering, we ensure your team arrives rested, focused, and ready to compete.

Contact our sports charter specialists today at pax@chapmanfreeborn.aero to plan your teams travel experience.