What are the 10 biggest stadiums in Africa?

In this post, we explore the biggest stadiums in Africa, noting that most of them have, at some point, hosted the African Cup of Nations, a prestigious continental tournament.

The Alassane Ouattara stadium that hosted the Afcon 2023 final at the beginning of February 2024 is one of the biggest stadiums on the continent, but where does it fall in this list of the 10 biggest Stadiums in Africa?

Where do the 2010 World Cup stadiums in South Africa fall? Read on for details on those and more.

The 10 biggest stadiums in Africa – ranked

We have ranked the 10 biggest stadiums in Africa in descending order.

FNB Stadium – South Africa – 94,736

The largest football ground taking the top spot among the biggest stadiums in Africa is the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, South Africa. The stadium was renovated and expanded in 2009 ahead of the 2010 World Cup and has a capacity of 94,736. The stadium is the home ground of Kaizer Chiefs and hosts important fixtures for the South African national team. FNB Stadium has also hosted some South Africa international rugby matches.

The biggest match to be played at the FNB Stadium was the FIFA World Cup final in 2010. Spain played the Netherlands, with Andres Iniesta scoring the winner in extra-time in front of a capacity crowd at Soccer City, as it is known locally.

FNB Stadium, which is sponsored by First National Bank, is popularly known as Soccer City in South Africa. It is also known as The Calabash, due to its shape which resembles the fruit.

The venue was constructed between 1987 and October 7, 1989, when it was opened. Subsequent renovations, especially ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, had a huge impact on the overall outlook of Soccer City as we know it today.

The FNB Stadium located on the border between Soweto and the city of Johannesburg, is currently owned by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The 2010 World Cup final at the FNB Stadium had a record attendance of 84,490 out of 94,736, but this is not the highest attendance in the stadium's history.

Nearly three years later, after the FIFA World Cup in 2010, the World Cup record attendance was broken on 10 February 2013 when a total of 85,000 matchgoers attended the AFCON final between Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Nigeria won the encounter 1-0.

Apart from football matches, FNB Stadium has also hosted big artists in the music world. The most-attended event ever at the venue was on 13 February 2011, when U2's 360 Tour saw a total of 94,232 concertgoers.

Other popular artists such as Coldplay, Red Hot Chilly Papers, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, and many others have also performed at the venue.

Moreover, the FNB Chris Brown concert scheduled for 15 December 2024 sold out within two hours after the ticket sale was announced. Such was the interest in tickets, the organisers opted to add a second show at the same venue the next day.

With that, we expect one of the most-attended events at Africa's biggest football stadium later this year.

New Administrative Capital Stadium – Egypt – 93,940

Egypt's New Administrative Capital Stadium is the second-biggest stadium in Africa. It has a seating capacity of 93,940. The Egyptian government has spent 40 billion on the stadium and its surrounding area, and a potential World Cup bid looms for the nation.

The construction of the New Administrative Capital Stadium in North Africa began in 2019 and was completed in 2023. Before its inauguration on 22 March 2024, when Egypt defeated New Zealand 1-0 in an inaugural friendly match, the New Administrative Stadium served as a camping ground for the Egypt National Team before the 2023 AFCON finals.

On March 26, 2024, the stadium hosted a match between Egypt and Croatia, with an attendance of 85,350 recorded.

Borg el-Arab Stadium – Egypt – 86,000

Completion of the New Administrative Stadium in Egypt demoted Borg el-Arab to the third-largest stadium in Africa. With a capacity of 86,000, sits on a 609 sq m parcel of land. It was officially opened in 2009 and the Egyptian national team frequently play their matches here. The stadium is situated in Amreya with local side Smouha also playing home matches here.

Borg el-Arab was one of the five stadiums Egypt constructed in their quest to host the 2010 World Cup. However, having been unsuccessful in the quest, Borg el-Arab stadium became a home venue for the national team, serving as an alternative ground to the Cairo International Stadium.

Stade des Martyrs – Democratic Republic of Congo – 80,000

The fourth-largest African football ground is the Stade des Martyrs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's the Congolese national football stadium, and the international side has played its home matches here since the 1990s. The ground holds 80,000 people, and club sides AS Vita Club and DCMP use it during the domestic season.

As the name suggests, Stade des Martyrs was named to honour ministers and others like Jerome Anany, Alexandre Mahamba, Evariste Kimba, and Emmanuel Bamba, who were hanged in then Leopoldville (currently Kinshasha) on the day of Pentecost (2 June 1966). The venue has hosted big football events, concerts, and prayers, including one presided over by Pop Francis on 2 February 2023.

Cairo International Stadium – Egypt – 75,000

Rounding off the top five is the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt, meaning three of Africa's biggest stadia can be found in Egypt. The Cairo International Stadium has a current capacity of 75,000 but once packed in 120,000 fans for a match in 1986.

Despite being smaller than the Borg el-Arab, the Cairo International Stadium is still regarded as Egypt's national ground, with the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final taking place here.

Moreover, Cairo International Stadium has hosted big events, which include being one of the grounds that hosted the 2006 African Cup of Nations. It also hosted several matches in the 2019 African Cup of Nations and the 2020 CAF Champions League final between Al Ahly and El Zamalek. Al Ahly won the crucial encounter 2-1.

Ibn Batouta Stadium – Morocco – 68,000

Morocco's Ibn Batouta Stadium is the sixth in our list of the biggest stadiums in Africa with a capacity of 68,000. Built back in 2011 with an initial capacity of 45,000, it has since been increased by more than 20,000 seats ahead of Morocco hosting the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and 2030 World Cup. The Morocco national team play selected matches here with Ittihad Tanger using it for domestic purposes.

Ibn Batouta Stadium hosted the inaugural match on 26 April 2011 when IR Tanger hosted Atletico Madrid B and another game between Raja Casablanca and Atletico Madrid.  In July of the same year, Ibn Batouta Stadium hosted Trophee des Champions, a game in which Marseille defeated Lille 5-4.

Since then, Ibn Batouta Stadium has hosted several high-profile matches, including FIFA Club World Cup matches in 2022 and notable international friendlies such as the clash between Morocco and Brazil on 23 March 2023. Morocco defeated Brazil 2-1 at the Ibn Batouta Stadium friendly encounter.

With Morocco co-hosting the 2023 World Cup, expect more changes at Ibn Batouta Stadium.

Stade du 5 Juillet – Algeria – 65,000

In light of the extension to the Ibn Batouta Stadium, Algeria's Stade du 5 Juillet has been bumped from sixth to seventh among the top 10 biggest stadiums in Africa.

The Stade du 5 Juillet has a current capacity of 65,000 but once held 110,000 for a match between Algeria and Serbia in 2010. Due to health and safety concerns, the stadium has seen many renovations over the years.

Ellis Park – South Africa – 62,567

Eighth among the biggest stadiums in Africa but first in iconic status, Ellis Park is arguably the most iconic stadium in Africa. The stadium is perhaps better known for hosting rugby matches, and it was the location for South Africa's World Cup triumph in 1995.

The South African football team have also played games here in the past, more so before the FNB Stadium was opened. Its current capacity stands at 62,567.

It is here where Nelson Mandela hosted the Liverpool team for a charity match after winning South Africa's presidential elections in 1994. With that, Mandela became one of the most famous Liverpool fans.

Moshood Abiola National Stadium – Nigeria – 60,491

The Moshood Abiola Stadium is not just the largest in Nigeria, but also the official venue for the Super Eagles. Being one of the biggest stadiums in Africa, it can hold up to 60,491 people.

The stadium opened in 2003 and has been exclusively used by the Nigerian national team ever since. When the Super Eagles are not playing there, the Moshood Abiola is used for religious conferences and concerts.

Alassan Ouattara Stadium – Ivory Coast – 60,000

The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the Ivory Coast, which opened in 2020 and holds 60,000 people, comes in 10th place among the biggest stadiums in Africa. The ground has become the home of the Ivory Coast national team and will host several matches at the upcoming African Cup of Nations, including the final.

Note that Alassane Ouattara Stadium is a property of the Ivory Coast government and boasts the largest capacity in the country. It is also a modern football venue in Africa.

In 2023, Alassane Ouattara Stadium was one of the venues that hosted the African Cup of Nations.  Alassane Ouattara Stadium hosted the 2023 AFCON final between Nigeria and the hosts, Ivory Coast. A total of 57,094 people attended the final match. Ivory Coast won the 2023 AFCON final by beating Nigeria 2-1.