The legendary Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca has undergone a complete renovation of its sound system, adopting the COSMO family of loudspeakers from HK Audio.
The upgrade project was completed in time for the stadium to play a key role as one of the main venues for the recent TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 25/26.
Located in the Maârif district in central Casablanca, Mohammed V Stadium is Morocco’s oldest stadium and one of the most iconic football venues in Africa. Opened in 1955, the stadium has been renovated, enhanced, and renamed several times. With a capacity of 67,000 spectators, it is home to the country’s two most followed clubs, Wydad Athletic Club and Raja Club Athletic, and also hosts international matches and major events, making it a landmark venue nationwide.
Following Morocco’s designation as host country for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 25/26, the stadium required an upgrade to its audio system to meet the technical requirements needed to host six group stage matches, one round of 16 match, and the third-place play-off.
The upgrade project became a priority when Morocco was selected as the replacement host for the tournament. Originally scheduled to take place in Guinea, the slow progress of preparations led to the reopening of the bidding process in late 2022. Morocco was named the new host at the end of 2023, triggering an accelerated upgrade process across the six venues to meet the required standards.
This tight schedule meant that the planning and installation of the new sound system had to be completed in just six weeks. Adding to the challenge was the stadium’s acoustic complexity: only one stand is covered, limiting loudspeaker rigging positions and requiring precise long-throw coverage of up to 150 metres while maintaining clarity, intelligibility, and consistent sound pressure levels throughout the venue.
The HK Audio team worked alongside its local partner Algam Maghreb, integrator Maghrebnet, and renowned consultant Melanie Ziska from SAVE audio solutions to develop a system capable of meeting both technical requirements and tight deadlines. A total of 166 COSMO series loudspeakers were deployed, powered by more than 250 kW of Powersoft UNICA amplification. Advanced digital workflow tools, including EASE 5 with Acousteer for system design and Armonia+ for amplifier configuration, enabled a fast and precise implementation without compromising performance.
Delivering a project of this scale within such a short timeframe demonstrates exceptional coordination, as well as a high level of engineering expertise and logistical capability. Together, we were able to implement a future-ready audio solution that meets the demanding requirements of an international tournament, says Kamal Fandi, BU Manager at Maghrebnet.
“This is an excellent reference project showcasing the capabilities of COSMO”, adds Fabian Reimann, Senior Application Engineer at HK Audio. “The long-throw performance, combined with COSMO’s adaptable horizontal coverage, allowed us to achieve outstanding results in a key venue for a major tournament”.
Following the upgrade, the sound system was tested at various events, including the legendary Casablanca derby between Raja Club Athletic and Wydad Athletic Club, ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 25/26. The system received very positive feedback from both technicians and organizers.
The final result is a future-ready audio infrastructure designed for high-level competitions, enhancing the match-day experience for players, organizers, and tens of thousands of spectators every week.
