Biggest Sports Stadiums In Africa - Top 10
If you are a sports fan, then you might just like to know a little information about some of the biggest sports stadiums in Africa.
They are home venues of a number of African football clubs and host a number of international matches annually.
Biggest Sports Stadiums in Africa
#10 - Bahir Dar Stadium
Capacity: 60,500
Location: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
The Bahir Dar Stadium is the largest of all the stadiums in Ethiopia. It has a seating capacity of 60,941 persons.
On June 14, 2015, more than 60,941 persons filled the seats when it played host to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match between Ethiopia and Lesotho. Over 70,000 spectators were in attendance.
The Ethiopian National Team currently uses it to train and play home matches. MIDROC Ethiopia, began construction of the Bahir Dar stadium in 2008 but its 2017 and the stadium still has seats and an awning to be installed.
#9 - Ellis Park Stadium
Capacity: 62,567
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
The Emirates Airline Park, more commonly known as the Ellis Park Stadium, is one of the many sports stadiums in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The year 2005 saw Ellis Park Stadium become the first black-owned stadium in South Africa. Built for games of football and rugby, the stadium also hosts large events like concerts.
However, it is more popular for hosting rugby games due to the ongoing rugby games it always sees. It was on the Emirate Airline Park field that the South African National Rugby team came out victorious in the finals of the 1995 Rugby World Cup on its field.
#8 - June 11 Stadium
Capacity: 65,000
Location: Tripoli, Libya
Formerly the June 11 Stadium, Tripoli Stadium is a multipurpose stadium located in Tripoli, Libya.
It is the hone stadium of the Libyan National Football team. Some of its most well known matches include games of the 1982 Cup of Nations the 2002 Italian Supercup between Juventus and Parma.
#7 - Stade Moulay Abdellah
Capacity: 65,000
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Stade Moulay Abdallah got its name from Prine Moulah Abdellah of Morocco. Located in the city of Rabat, the stadium is the home venue of Association sportive des FAR, a famous football club in Morocco.
It was built in 1983 and is able to accommodate 65,000 persons. The Stade Moulay Abdellah annually hosts the Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme de Rabat, a track and field challenge meet put on by the IAAF.
#6 - Stade Mohamed V
Capacity: 67,000
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Stade Mohamed V got its name from King Mohamed V of Morocco. It forms a part of an athletic complex located in the center of Casablanca, Morocco. At its opening on March 6, 1955, the stadium could seat an estimated 30,000 persons.
Further expansion now allows for 67,000 people to sit comfortably and view a game. In 1997, at a game between Raja and rivals Wydad, 100,000 people filled the stadium. Ironically the stadium is now the training ground of both Raja and Wydad football teams.
#5 - Cairo International Stadium
Capacity: 74,100
Location: Cairo, Egypt
The Cairo International Stadium or "Stad El Qahira El Dawly" is one of the many stadiums in Egypt. It is a multi-purpose stadium in Cairo.
With a seating capacity of 74,100, the stadium is suitable for hosting an event as large as the Olympics. German architect Werner March completed the construction of this stadium in the year 1960.
It is currently the second largest stadium in the Arab world. This stadium hosts all the important football matches in Egypt.
It played host to the 1986 African Cup of Nations Final match between Egypt and Cameroon in which Egypt defeated Cameroon, to Egypt’s qualification game for the Italia 90 World Cup among many other famous games.
#4 - Stade 5 Juillet 1962
Capacity: 80,000
Location: Algiers, Algeria
The Stade 5 Juillet 1962 is a stadium located in Algiers, Algeria. The stadium got its name from the day Algeria gained its independence from France.
At its official opening in 1972, the stadium had a capacity of 95,000; however after renovations over the years, it now has a capacity of 80,000. The stadium’s main purpose is to host football and athletic games.
On March 3, 2010, the stadium had an attendance of 110,000 persons who came out to watch the friendly match between Algeria and Serbia. This is the highest attendance ever recorded in its history.
#3 - Stades des Martyrs
Capacity: 80,000
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Stades des Martyrs, originally named Stade Kimaniyola is a stadium located in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Construction of the Cathedral of African Football began in October 24, 1988 and ended on October 14, 1974.
The stadium has the capacity to hold 80,000 persons but oftentimes sees attendances of up to 100,000 people.
Stades des Martyrs is the home of the National Team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AS Vita Club and DC Motema Pembe of Championship Democratic Republic of the Congo football
#2 - Borg El Arab Stadium
Capacity: 86,000
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
The Borg el-Arab Stadium sits in the center of the Mediterranean Sea resort city of Borg El Arab. Its seating capacity of 86,000 makes it the largest stadium in Egypt and the second largest in Africa.
This stadium is not like any other stadiums. The Borg el-Arab Stadium comes fully air-conditioned with saloons, clothes chamber and a total of eight elevators for special persons.
A hotel that is capable of 200 guests and comes with a swimming pool, gym and a department building are some of the features of the stadium. The government commissioned it in 2006 in hopes that FIFA would chose it to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This, however, did not happen.
#1 - FNB Stadium
Capacity: 94,736
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
The FNB Stadium is a located in Nasrec, found to the south of Johannesburg, in South Africa. FNB Staium also called African Pot or Calabash is the home of Kaizer Chiefs F.C.
Its ability to hold 94,736 persons make it the largest stadium in Africa. FNB Stadium is usually the site of important events in South Africa. In 1990, it was the venue for Nelson Mandela’s first speech after returning from prison.
The government spent R3.3 billion for its reconstruction so that it could host the opening ceremony, closing ceremony and the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. African Pot has also hosted the concerts of superstars like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.
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