Largest stadiums in Africa? Yes, there are big stadiums in Africa and some of them have been there for decades. We have carefully researched, written and compiled the list of the biggest stadiums in Africa.
With the world having much love for football, the need for better and bigger stadiums has always resulted in some iconic infrastructures in most African countries, several of which have become the world’s biggest stadiums. If you are unaware of where these biggest stadiums in terms of Capacity are located, below is the top twenty list of the largest football stadiums in Africa are located.
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa (94,736)
Host to the 2010 World Cup final game between the Netherlands and Spain. The FNB stadium is popularly known as the ”Soccer City” or the ”Calabash” to the people.
The Johannesburg stadium is home to PSL giants Kaizer Chief and the South African national team. It has a capacity of 94,736 also making it one of the finest and Biggest Football stadiums in the world.
It was the site where Nelson Mandela made his first speech after he was released from prison in 1990 and also served as a memorial service for Nelson Mandela on 10th December 2013.
It has been nicknamed the ”Calabash” because of its resemblance to the African pot. It has a construction cost of $440 million making it the third most expensive stadium in Africa.
Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt (86,000)
The stadium is the largest in Egypt and it is the 27th largest stadium in the world. It is located about 10 km from Borg El Arab Airport; that is, about 15 km from the center of the city. The stadium has up to 4 large floodlights and only one of the stands gets covered by a roof.
The whole stadium is fenced around and its parking space can occupy up to five thousand cars at the same time. Besides that, it is one of cleanest stadiums you’ll ever see, the management team really cares about the way it looks on a daily basis, they even hire Parkade Power Washing Services constantly, to keep the parking lot clean.
Stade 5 Juillet, Algiers ,Algeria (85,000)
The stadium has a total capacity of 85,000. This makes it the third largest stadium in Africa. It is located in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria. The stadium is managed by Ministry of Youth and Sports, Algeria. The largest number of people that ever attended an event in this stadium was up to 110,000 at a time and that was on the 3
The largest number of people that ever attended an event in this stadium was up to 110,000 at a time and that was on the 3rd of March 2010. The surface of the stadium is AirFibr hybrid grass. It was built in 1970 and it was opened to the general public on the 17th of June, 1972; that is about 44 years ago.
Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo (80,000)
The fourth-largest stadium on the African continent is located in the city of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally known as the Kamanyola Stadium, it was built in 1994, and has a capacity of 80,000, which is more than Europe’s tenth largest stadium, the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, can hold. The venue was billed as a crowning achievement of the then-ruling regime of Mobutu Sese Seko. The stadium currently hosts two local football clubs, AS Vita Club and DC Motema Pembe. The national football team also plays its home matches at this venue.
Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt (74,100)
Cairo International Stadium is also the second-largest Egyptian stadium. As its name implies, it is located in Cairo the capital of Egypt. It can contain 74,100 persons. It is a multi-purpose stadium for many sporting activities. The stadium was formerly referred to as Nasser stadium when it was first officially open in 1960. Of all the large stadiums in the country, Cairo International Stadium is the official stadium for Egypt national team.
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco (67,000)
Stade Mohammed V is part of the Mohammed V Athletic Complex situated in the heart of the city of Casablanca, Morocco, in the western part of the Maârif neighborhood.
The stadium’s record attendance of 110,000.
Often hosting the games of the Morocco national football team, the Mohammed V Stadium is equally known as the home of Wydad AC and Raja CA. It is named after King Mohammed V of Morocco.
Mogadishu Stadium, Mogadishu, Somalia (65,000)
Mogadishu Stadium has a capacity of 65,000 spectators. It features a tournament ground, as well as grounds for track and field, football, basketball, volleyball and tennis.
The facility was constructed in 1977 during the Siad Barre administration, with the assistance of Chinese engineers. Although Mogadishu Stadium was mainly used for hosting sporting activities, presidential addresses and political rallies were also held there.
The facility was renovated in 2020 and served as the main stadium for the Somalia National Team.
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa (62,567)
Africa’s Eight largest stadium is also the second largest in South Africa. Like FNB Stadium, Ellis Park Stadium is located in Johannesburg. The original stadium was built in 1928. It was demolished in 1979, however, and was subsequently rebuilt. The current venue, which is often called Emirates Airlines Park for sponsorship reasons, has a capacity of 62,567. In 2005, Ellis Park Stadium made history as the first black-owned stadium in the country. The stadium has hosted many important football matches including games that were part of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is also a premier venue for rugby. In fact, in 1995, 65,000 spectators packed the stadium to watch South Africa win the Rugby World Cup of that year. Ellis Park Stadium is also the home of Johannesburg’s rugby team, the Highveld Lions.
Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria (60,491)
Photos: Rankings Of Top 10 Stadiums In Nigeria
The largest stadium in Nigeria, Moshood Abiola national stadium, is also the largest stadium in the whole of West Africa. Recently, it was renamed after one of Nigeria’s political legends Alhaji Moshood Abiola. However, it remains popular as Abuja Stadium. It is in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja. This 60,491 capacity stadium was opened in 2003. Although Abuja Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, it’s mainly used for soccer.
Top 20 biggest Stadiums in Africa (LIST)
Stadium | Capacity | City | Country | Home Team/s |
FNB Stadium | 94,736 | Johannesburg | South Africa | South Africa national football team, Kaizer Chiefs FC |
Borg El Arab Stadium | 86,000 | Alexandria | Egypt | Egypt national football team |
Stade 5 Juillet | 85,000 | Algiers | Algeria | Algeria national football team, MC Alger |
Stade des Martyrs | 80,000 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | DR Congo National Football Team |
Cairo International Stadium | 74,100 | Cairo | Egypt | Egypt national football team, Al Ahly, Zamalek |
Stade Mohammed V | 67,000 | Casablanca | Morocco | Morocco national football team, Raja CA, Wydad AC |
Mogadishu Stadium | 65,000 | Mogadishu | Somalia | Somalia national football team, Moqadishu |
Ellis Park Stadium | 62,567 | Johannesburg | South Africa | Lions, Golden Lions, South Africa national rugby team |
Abuja Stadium | 60,491 | Abuja | Nigeria | Nigeria national football team |
Stade 7 November | 60,000 | Radès | Tunisia | Tunisia national football team |
Stade National de la Côte d’Ivoire | 60,000 | Abidjan | Ivory Coast | Ivory Coast national football team |
Stade Municipal de Kintélé | 60,000 | Brazzaville | Congo | Congo national football team |
Bahir Dar Stadium | 60,000 | Bahir Dar | Ethiopia | Ethiopia national football team |
Mkapa Stadium | 60,000 | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | Tanzania national football team |
Stade Leopold Senghor | 60,000 | Dakar | Senegal | Senegal national football team, ASC Jeanne d’Arc |
Moi International Sports Centre | 60,000 | Nairobi | Kenya | Kenya National football team |
Heroes National Stadium | 60,000 | Lusaka | Zambia | Zambia national football team |
National Sports Stadium | 60,000 | Harare | Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe national football team |
Odi Stadium | 60,000 | Mabopane | South Africa | Garankuwa United |
Olembe Stadium | 60,000 | Yaounde | Cameroon |