What are the 13 biggest stadiums in Africa?

As we explore the biggest stadiums in Africa, we will traverse every one of the continent's 54 nations. Africa boasts some of the most breathtaking and iconic sporting arenas worldwide, with football pulsating at the core of its vibrant sporting culture. These colossal stadiums are more than mere venues; they are grand beacons of unity, pride, and passion, drawing millions of fans together to celebrate the beautiful game.

Take, for instance, South Africa’s stunning FNB Stadium, a jewel that played host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, or Egypt's Cairo International Stadium, which has witnessed thrilling continental showdowns over the years. Each of these venues holds deep cultural and sporting significance, symbolising the continent's enormous love for football on a global stage.

Beyond just matches, these stadiums are alive with energy and spirit, hosting everything from fierce local derbies and prestigious international tournaments to unforgettable concerts and national celebrations that bring together diverse communities.

Every grand stadium tells a remarkable story through its rich history, distinctive architecture, and unforgettable sporting moments. They stand as landmarks that signify much more than just the games they host. Join us as we dive into the exploration of Africa's most notable stadiums and discover what makes them truly special!

The 13 biggest stadiums in Africa – ranked

We have ranked the 13 biggest stadiums in Africa in descending order.

FNB Stadium – South Africa – 94,736

The largest football ground, which is in the top spot among the biggest stadiums in Africa, is FNB Stadium in Nasrec Suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. The stadium was renovated and expanded in 2009 ahead of the 2010 World Cup and has a capacity of 94,736. It currently serves as the home ground for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa's Premier League. The venue also hosts important fixtures for the South African national team.

FNB Stadium has also hosted some South African international rugby matches.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup final remains the biggest match to have been staged at Soccer City. Spain defeated the Netherlands in the final to become the world champions. A total of 84,490 attended the finals, but this is not the highest attendance in the stadium's history.

On 10 February 2013, 85,000 people watched Nigeria take on Burkina Faso in an AFCON final. Super Eagles won the encounter 1-0.

The name FNB is derived from a sponsorship partnership with First National Bank. However, it is popularly known as Soccer City or the Calabash, due to its design.

Opened on 7 October 1989, FNB has been renovated several times over the years. Renovations ahead of the 2010 World Cup resulted in the overall outlook we see today.

New Administrative Capital Stadium – Egypt – 93,940

Egypt's New Administrative Capital Stadium is second in this review of the biggest stadiums 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. Another option is to bid for the Olympics, as this stadium is part of the Egypt International Olympic City, which includes other Olympic buildings, halls, and training grounds.

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, 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 New Administrative Stadium in Egypt demoted Borg el-Arab to the third-largest stadium in Africa. With a capacity of 86,000, it 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.

Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt 🇪🇬

Has a capacity of 86,000 pic.twitter.com/edkvICjBV6

— Africa View Facts (@AfricaViewFacts) February 24, 2024

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

The fourth-largest African football ground is 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.

The stadium's name honours ministers and others like Jerome Anany, Alexandre Mahamba, Evariste Kimba, and Emmanuel Bamba, who were hanged in Leopoldville (currently Kinshasa) on the day of Pentecost (2 June 1966).

The venue is sometimes used to host non-football events. For example, on 2 February 2023, Pope Francis presided over prayers at Stade des Martyrs.

Cairo International Stadium – Egypt – 75,000

Cairo International Stadium has a current capacity of 75,000, but once packed with 120,000 fans for a match in 1986.

While it is smaller than Borg el-Arab, Cairo International Stadium is still regarded as Egypt's national ground. Note that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final took place here.

Moreover,  as one of the biggest Stadiums in Africa, Cairo International Stadium has hosted big events, including some matches during 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 (Grand Stade de Tanger) – Morocco – 75,000

Ibn Batouta Stadium, now known as Grand Stade de Tanger, has emerged as Morocco’s largest stadium and one of the biggest in Africa, with a seating capacity of around 75,000.

Originally opened in 2011 with a capacity of 45,000, the stadium recently underwent a major overhaul ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The renovations included the installation of a new roof covering 55,000 m², made from a high-performance material imported from Germany that allows natural light, resists corrosion, and manages rainwater efficiently. Remarkably, the roof was completed in just 69 days, setting a high standard for stadium projects worldwide.

Alongside this, the stadium now features a hybrid pitch meeting FIFA regulations, improved fan and VIP access, and an expanded seating capacity, while the athletics track was removed to make it exclusively a football venue.

The stadium serves as the home ground for the Morocco national team and Ittihad Tanger, hosting both domestic league matches and international fixtures.

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – Morocco – 69,500

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is one of Morocco’s newest football arenas, boasting a capacity of 69,500. The stadium was originally built in 1983 but was fully demolished in 2023 and rebuilt in just two years – a feat that could earn it a Guinness World Record for the fastest stadium reconstruction.

It was inaugurated on 4 September 2025 by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. The stadium serves as one of the home grounds for Morocco’s national team and will host matches during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host.

The venue features hybrid turf, modern facilities, four changing rooms equipped to international standards, and parking for 5,200 cars. It will host the opening match of AFCON 2025, featuring Morocco against Comoros, on December 21, 2025, as well as the final match.

How about that for a #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 opening game venue? 🤩

Ladies and gentlemen, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. 🏟🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/945EVUFgBn

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 5, 2025

 

 

 

Stade du 5 Juillet – Algeria – 65,000

Algeria's Stade du 5 Juillet is among the biggest stadiums in Africa. The ground was named after July 5 1962, which is the day when Algeria declared its independence from France. This stadium features a running track, as it is also used for athletics, which is why it has hosted numerous international events, including the 2004 Pan Arab Games and the 2007 All-Africa Games.

Stade du 5 Juillet has a current capacity of 65,000, but it 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, which have included a reduction in capacity. However, there will reportedly be more renovations in the near future, which should also increase capacity to around 80,000.

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 that 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

Moshood Abiola Stadium is not only one of the largest stadiums in Nigeria and one of the 50 most expensive stadiums in the world, but also the official home ground for the national football team. Being one of the biggest stadiums in Africa, it can hold up to 60,491 people.

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

Alassan Ouattara Stadium – Ivory Coast – 60,000

Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the Ivory Coast opened in 2020. The venue can hold a maximum of 60,000 people. The ground has become the home of the Ivory Coast national team. Alassane Ouattara Stadium hosted matches during the 2023 tournament. The opening clash between the hosts, the Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau, was staged at this venue. The hosts won 2-0.

The 2023 AFCON final between Nigeria and the hosts, the Ivory Coast, was also played at this venue. A total of 57,094 spectators watched the hosts from the stands as the host nation beat Nigeria 2-1.

Note that Alassane Ouattara Stadium is a property of the Ivorian government and boasts the largest capacity in the country.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium – Tanzania – 60,000

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania is one of the biggest stadiums in Africa. The venue is also known National Stadium of Tanzania and serves as the home ground for the national football team, the Taifa Stars. Benjamin

Mkapa Stadium is the only venue in East Africa to be included on this list. While several other venues, like Kenya's Kasarani Stadium and Olembe Stadium in Cameroon, also have a seating capacity of 60,000, we chose Tanzania's Mkapa Stadium for its impressive design and state-of-the-art facilities.

In 2027, East Africa will host the African Cup of Nations, and Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will play a significant role by hosting several matches during the tournament. Additionally, the stadium is also scheduled to host multiple matches in the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).

Built for $56 million, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium was designed by WMS Architects from South Africa and constructed by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group. Inaugurated in 2007, it has since hosted several historic and record-breaking football matches.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is the home ground for two of Tanzania's most popular and successful football clubs, Simba S.C. and Young Africans S.C. On 26 October 2008, a record attendance of 70,000 fans witnessed a thrilling match between the two rivals.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium: Where High Hopes Meet Harsh Realities in 90 Minutes

Read more:- https://t.co/KRXivQiGxi pic.twitter.com/X7bz5Ys4Ol

— Daily News Tanzania (@dailynewstz) October 20, 2024

Stade 7 November – 60,000

Stade 7 November, located in Rades, Tunis, a suburban area in the Southern parts of the capital, is also among the biggest stadiums in Africa. The stadium gained prominence after hosting the 2001 Mediterranean Games, the same year it was opened. It has a capacity of 60,000 and is operated by the Tunisian government.

Two years later, it was used as the venue for the 2004 AFCON final match. Tunisia defeated Morocco in the encounter to become the Champions of Africa.

Stade 7 November was constructed at 170 million Dinar, approximately $57 million, based on the current exchange rate. The pitch surface is grass. In 2011, the stadium's name was changed to Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, and further modified to Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in 2020. It is currently the biggest stadium in Tunisia.