Top 10 Largest Football Stadiums in Africa
10. Abuja National Stadium (Moshood Abiola National Stadium)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Opened: 2003
Capacity: 60,491
Record Attendance: Unknown
Tenants: Domestic League, Nigeria National Team
The stadium was inaugurated with a match between Nigerian rivals Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars. The stadium is also the host to many religious event. In 2006 the President notoriously decided to hold a religious event instead of an international match between Nigeria and Rwanda. The stadium was the most expensive stadium upon completion in 2003.
9. Ellis Park Stadium
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Opened: 1928
Capacity: 62,567
Record Attendance: 55,686 (Argentina vs Nigeria 2010 FIFA World Cup)
Tenants: Rugby
Mainly used for Rugby matches, the stadium hosted numerous matches during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup (including the final) and 2010 FIFA World Cup after a renovation and expansion in 2009. The stadium was the site of the Ellis Park Stadium disaster of 11 April 2001, when 43 fans lost their lives during a stampede at a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
8. Stade du 5 Juillet 1962
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Opened: 1972
Capacity: 64,000
Record Attendance: 110,000 (Algeria vs Serbia 2010)
Tenants: MC Alger, Algeria National Team
Named after Algeria’s Independence Day (5 July), the stadium was inaugurated with a tournament that featured the Arab Maghreb, AC Milan, Hungary and Palmeiras.
7. Tripoli International Olympic Stadium
Location: Tripoli, Libya
Opened: 1970
Capacity: 65,000
Record Attendance: 80,000 (Ghana vs Libya 1982 AFCON Final)
Tenants: Libya National Team, Al Ahli Tripoli, Al Ittihad Tripoli, Al Madina
Known as “Africa’s Graveyard”, the stadium famously hosted the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations final between Ghana and Libya. It was also interestingly the host of the 2002 Italian Super Cup.
6. Mohammed V Stadium
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Opened: 1955
Capacity: 67,000
Record Attendance: 100,000 (Raja - Wydad, 1997)
Tenants: Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca, Morocco National Team
Built in 1955, the stadium was renamed Stade D’honneur after Morocco’s independence the following year. It was renovated in 2015.
5. Cairo International Stadium
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Opened: 1960
Capacity: 75,000
Record Attendance: 120,000 (Egypt vs Cameroon 1986 AFCON Final)
Tenants: Al Ahly, Zamalek, Egypt National Team
Cairo international Stadium was notoriously known for being able to fit more people than intended before seats were added to all sections in 2005. It is known for hosting Egypt’s most important matches, including the Cairo Derby. The stadium underwent major renovations in 2005 and 2019 in preparation for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments the following years.
4. National Sports Stadium
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Opened: 1987
Capacity: 80,000
Record Attendance: Unknown
Tenants: Caps United, Zimbabwe National Team
Financed by the Chinese government under the presidency of Robert Mugabe, the Harare stadium held the 6th All-Africa games in 1995. It was also the site of former dictator Robert Mugabe’s funeral. The stadium was reportedly filled to capacity in 2012 and 2014 for services by Zimbabwean pastor Emmanuel Makandiwa.
3. Stade des Martyrs
Location: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Opened: 1994
Capacity: 80,000 (reportedly can fit up to 125,000 people)
Record Attendance: 100,000
Tenants: AS Vita, DR Congo National Team
Built under the reign of President Mobutu Sese Seko with the name Stade Kamanyola from 1988 to 1994. After the dictator was removed from power, the stadium was renamed to Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte (Martyrs of Pentecost Stadium).
2. Borg El Arab
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 86,000
Record Attendance: 86,000 (Egypt vs Congo 2017)
Tenants: Egypt National Team
Originally commissioned as part of an ambitious 5 international-standard stadiums project for Egypt's bid to host the World Cup, the stadium became the home stadium for the Egyptian National Team alongside Cairo International Stadium. It has been described by some FIFA members as an identical copy of the State de France in Paris.
1. FNB Stadium (Soccer City)
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Opened: 1989
Capacity: 94,736
Record Attendance: 94,807 (Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates)
Tenants: Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa National Team
Renovated and expanded for the 2010 World Cup, Soccer City hosted the 2010 World Cup Final. The stadium was also the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech after his release from prison in 1990 and memorial service.
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