Step into the grandeur of African sports culture as we unveil the continent’s Top 10 Largest Stadiums. From the electrifying roar of passionate fans to the monumental structures that host historic matches, these stadiums stand as testament to Africa’s love affair with the beautiful game. Join us on a journey through colossal arenas, where dreams are made, records are broken, and the spirit of competition thrives in every corner.
Africa boasts a fervent passion for sports despite economic challenges. Contrary to misconceptions, the continent is home to several impressive sporting venues that rival those found elsewhere in the world.
Here, is the list of the Largest Historical Football Stadiums and the countries from which the stadiums exists. Additionally we provide to you a long list of stadiums in African in accordance to their capacity;
Also see: South Africa: Premier Soccer League (PSL) Teams and Their Stadiums
1. FNB Stadium, South Africa – 94,736
Welcome to Africa’s premier stadium, the FNB (First National Bank) Stadium, boasting an impressive crowd capacity of 94,736. Situated in Johannesburg, South Africa’s bustling capital, this iconic venue first opened its doors in 1989 and has since undergone two notable renovations.
Primarily serving as a venue for football and rugby matches, FNB Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts. Dubbed “Soccer City” during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where it hosted several matches, and affectionately referred to as “The Calabash” due to its unique shape resembling an African pot, this stadium embodies the essence of African sports culture.
Beyond its role in international events, FNB Stadium is also home to the renowned local football club, Kaizer Chiefs FC.
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2. Borg Al-Arab Stadium, Egypt – 86,000
Africa’s second-largest stadium stands proudly in Egypt, a testament to the nation’s sporting ambitions. Constructed as part of Egypt’s bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup (which was eventually awarded to South Africa), this remarkable venue is also known as El Geish and Alexandria, paying homage to the nearby port city.
Unlike many stadiums across the continent, Borg Al-Arab was purpose-built for football, with a staggering capacity of 90,000 spectators.
While it has historically hosted only a fraction of its full capacity, it remains a vital venue for Egypt’s national football team, hosting crucial matches such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Congo, which drew an astounding 86,000 fans, setting a new attendance record.
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3. Stade Des Martyra De La Pentecote, DRC – 80,000
The third-largest stadium in Africa stands proudly in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally named the Kamanyola Stadium, it was erected in 1994 with a staggering capacity of 80,000 spectators, surpassing Europe’s tenth-largest stadium, the Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
Regarded as a symbol of prestige under the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko, the stadium is now home to two local football clubs, AS Vita Club and DC Motema Pembe.
Additionally, it serves as the primary venue for the national football team’s home matches.
Remarkably, the inaugural event at the Stade des Martyrs was a friendly encounter between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
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4. Cairo International Stadium, Egypt – 74,100
In the heart of Egypt’s bustling capital, Cairo, lies the continent’s fourth-largest stadium, the Cairo International Stadium. With an impressive capacity of 74,100 spectators.
This iconic venue first opened its doors in 1960 under the name Nasser Stadium, in honor of then-Egyptian President Gamal Abd Al-Nasser.
Serving as the revered home ground of Egypt’s national football team, the stadium underwent extensive renovations in 2005 to prepare for hosting the African Cup of Nations football tournament the following year.
While it isn’t affiliated with any local football club, the stadium frequently hosts high-profile matches featuring prominent teams such as Al Ahly and Zamalek.
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5. Stade 5 Juillet, Algeria – 64,000
Africa’s sixth largest stadium bears the full official name of Stade 5 Juillet, 1962 (July 5, 1962 Stadium), paying homage to the independence day of the Republic of Algeria, the nation in which it is situated. Situated in the capital city of Algiers, Algeria, this iconic venue first opened its gates in 1972. Over the years, it has served as the host for numerous international sporting events, including the 1975 Mediterranean Games, the 1978 All-Africa Games, and the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.
Notably, in 2010, the July 5 Stadium witnessed a remarkable attendance of 110,000 spectators during a match between the national football team and Serbia, despite its regular capacity being only 64,000.
6. Ellis Park Stadium, South Africa – 62,567
The seventh largest stadium in Africa, Ellis Park Stadium, also holds the distinction of being the second largest in South Africa. Situated in Johannesburg, like the FNB Stadium, the original structure dates back to 1928. However, it underwent demolition in 1979 and was subsequently rebuilt.
The current venue, often referred to as Emirates Airlines Park due to sponsorship, boasts a capacity of 62,567. In a significant milestone, Ellis Park Stadium became the first black-owned stadium in South Africa in 2005. Over the years, it has hosted numerous crucial football matches, including fixtures during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Additionally, it serves as a premier venue for rugby, witnessing historic moments such as South Africa’s victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, attended by 65,000 spectators. Furthermore, Ellis Park Stadium is home to Johannesburg’s rugby team, the Highveld Lions.
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7. Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Nigeria – 60,491
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, also known as Abuja Stadium, stands in proximity to Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. Renamed in honor of the late pro-democracy advocate, it retains its former moniker for practicality. Opened in 2003, the stadium boasts a capacity of 60,491.
Initially designated for the 2003 African Games, it has since hosted both local football clubs and the national football squad. Despite its grandeur, Abuja Stadium is not the home venue for any local sports teams, primarily because Nigeria’s local teams do not draw crowds sizable enough to fill its vast stands.
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The List of Largest Stadiums In Africa
| Rank | Stadium | Capacity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FNB Stadium | 94,736 | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 2 | Borg El Arab Stadium | 86,000 | Alexandria, Egypt |
| 3 | Stade des Martyrs | 80,000 | Kinshasa, DR Congo |
| 4 | Cairo International Stadium | 74,100 | Cairo, Egypt |
| 5 | Stade 5 Juillet | 64,000 | Algiers, Algeria |
| 6 | Ellis Park Stadium | 62,567 | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 7 | Abuja Stadium | 60,491 | Abuja, Nigeria |
| 8 | Stade Olympique de Rades | 60,000 | Radès, Tunisia |
| 9 | Stade National de la Côte d’Ivoire | 60,000 | Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| 10 | Stade Municipal de Kintélé | 60,000 | Brazzaville, Congo |
| 11 | Bahir Dar Stadium | 60,000 | Bahir Dar, Ethiopia |
| 12 | Mkapa Stadium | 60,000 | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| 13 | Stade Leopold Senghor | 60,000 | Dakar, Senegal |
| 14 | Moi International Sports Centre | 60,000 | Nairobi, Kenya |
| 15 | Heroes National Stadium | 60,000 | Lusaka, Zambia |
| 16 | National Sports Stadium | 60,000 | Harare, Zimbabwe |
| 17 | Odi Stadium | 60,000 | Mabopane, South Africa |
| 18 | Mmabatho Stadium | 59,000 | Mafikeng, South Africa |
| 19 | Cape Town Stadium | 58,300 | Cape Town, South Africa |
| 20 | May 19 Stadium | 56,000 | Annaba, Algeria |
| 21 | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 56,000 | Durban, South Africa |
| 22 | Kings Park Stadium | 52,000 | Durban, South Africa |
| 23 | Stade Moulay Abdellah | 52,000 | Rabat, Morocco |
| 24 | Loftus Versfeld Stadium | 51,762 | Pretoria, South Africa |
| 25 | Newlands Stadium | 51,100 | Cape Town, South Africa |
| 26 | June 11 Stadium | 50,000 | Tripoli, Libya |
| 27 | Estádio 11 de Novembro | 50,000 | Luanda, Angola |
| 28 | Stade 26 mars | 50,000 | Bamako, Mali |
| 29 | Nongo Stadium | 50,000 | Conakry, Guinea |
