20 biggest sports complexes in Africa

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At a Glance

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• Mega stadiums boost tourism, jobs and city branding across Africa’s leading urban economies.
• Governments deploy sports infrastructure to attract AFCON, concerts and global broadcast revenues.
• Modern arenas diversify revenue beyond football into rugby, athletics and large-scale events.

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Africa’s biggest sports complexes are no longer just match-day venues. They have become multi-billion-dollar infrastructure assets shaping tourism, job creation and global visibility across the continent.

From Johannesburg and Cairo to Rabat and Abidjan, massive stadium investments are helping cities attract AFCON tournaments, global concerts, political rallies and international broadcasts.

Built or expanded largely over the past two decades, these arenas reflect how African governments are using sports infrastructure to reposition their economies, strengthen city branding and compete for elite global events.

As countries race to host continental showcase tournaments such as AFCON and CHAN, stadium investments have surged, unlocking opportunities for construction firms, hospitality operators, broadcasters and private-sector partners.

Shore Africa highlights the continent’s 10 largest stadiums, spanning South, North and Central Africa, each representing an emblem of national pride and a symbol of Africa’s rising sports economy. 

With capacities ranging from 60,000 to nearly 95,000 seats, these complexes form the backbone of Africa’s sporting infrastructure and continue to shape tourism, job creation, and how nations present themselves to the world.

1. FNB Stadium — Johannesburg, South Africa — 94,736
Africa’s largest sports venue, FNB Stadium, gained global visibility as host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Opened in 1989 and revamped in 2009, its calabash-inspired design makes it South Africa’s flagship arena for football, concerts, and political events, driving significant tourism and broadcast revenue.

2. Misr Stadium — Cairo, Egypt — 93,940
One of Africa’s newest megastructures, Misr Stadium features a retractable roof and modern multi-use design that positions Cairo as a future Olympic contender. The Egyptian government sees it as a centrepiece for hosting global-scale events, boosting sports development and enhancing Egypt’s infrastructure competitiveness.

3. Borg El-Arab Stadium — Alexandria, Egypt — 86,000
Built in 2006, Borg El-Arab Stadium is a major hub for Egyptian national team fixtures and continental tournaments. Located near Alexandria’s coastline, the venue’s scale and modern facilities make it a strategic asset for Egypt’s tourism plans and football federation operations.

4. Stade des Martyrs — Kinshasa, DR Congo — 80,000
A national symbol in DR Congo, Stade des Martyrs hosts football, athletics, and major state ceremonies. Its imposing structure reflects the country’s ambition to expand sports participation and rehabilitate key infrastructure. It remains one of Central Africa’s busiest public venues.

5. Cairo International Stadium — Cairo, Egypt — 75,000
A historic arena that hosted the 2006 AFCON final, Cairo International Stadium is central to Egypt’s sporting identity. Renovated multiple times, it supports club and national team matches, large-scale ceremonies, and concert events, reinforcing Cairo’s role as a regional sports capital.

6. Ibn Batouta Stadium — Tangier, Morocco — 75,600
Named after the famed explorer, Ibn Batouta Stadium’s modern architecture and AFCON-ready facilities have made it a pillar of Morocco’s sports tourism momentum. Its expansion supports the kingdom’s growing ambitions to host more global tournaments and strengthen its sporting footprint.

7. Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — Rabat, Morocco — 69,500
Undergoing extensive renovation for Morocco’s 2025 hosting cycle, the stadium is designed as a multi-sport powerhouse. It is central to Morocco’s long-term sports infrastructure strategy and increasing appeal to FIFA and CAF as a premier host nation.

8. Stade du 5 Juillet — Algiers, Algeria — 64,200
An iconic Algerian landmark since 1972, Stade du 5 Juillet hosts national football fixtures, athletics meets, and state celebrations. Continuous upgrades ensure its relevance in a competitive North African sports market focused on modernization and event attraction.

9. Ellis Park Stadium — Johannesburg, South Africa — 62,567
A historic venue famed for the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, Ellis Park remains South Africa’s high-performance hub for rugby and football. Its central location and legacy status make it a key economic contributor to Johannesburg’s sports and events ecosystem.

10. Abuja Stadium (Moshood Abiola National Stadium) — Abuja, Nigeria — 60,491
Nigeria’s premier national arena, Abuja Stadium anchors the country’s sports infrastructure and plays host to international football, state ceremonies, and national festivals. Built for the 2003 All Africa Games, it remains a central asset in Nigeria’s bid to return as a major continental events host.

11. Stade 7 November — Rades, Tunisia — 60,000
Opened in 2001, Stade 7 November is Tunisia’s leading multi-sport arena and the home of major national team fixtures. Built ahead of the 2001 Mediterranean Games, it remains central to Tunisia’s bid to host large CAF events, with strong utilisation by top-tier clubs and athletics federations.

12. Alassane Ouattara Stadium — Abidjan, Ivory Coast — 60,000
Completed in 2020, Alassane Ouattara Stadium redefined Ivory Coast’s sports infrastructure ahead of the 2023 AFCON. With modern seating, advanced turf systems, and broadcast-ready facilities, it stands as West Africa’s newest sports landmark, supporting Abidjan’s broader goal of becoming a premier events destination.

13. Stade Municipal de Kintélé — Brazzaville, Congo — 60,000
Built for the 2015 All-Africa Games, this stadium anchors Congo’s largest sports complex. Its modern facilities host national football fixtures and government ceremonies, positioning Brazzaville as a regional sports hub and supporting the country’s long-term investment in multi-sport development.

14. National Stadium — Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — 60,000
One of East Africa’s flagship stadiums, Dar es Salaam’s National Stadium supports a rising football culture and increasing demand for elite sports infrastructure. Its role in hosting Tanzania’s national team matches has intensified the country’s push to attract continental competitions and expand sports tourism.

15. Paul Biya Stadium — Yaoundé, Cameroon — 60,000
Commissioned for the 2021 AFCON, Paul Biya Stadium features modern design, high-capacity seating, and world-class turf technology. It supports Cameroon’s long-term hosting aspirations and complements the country’s legacy as one of Africa’s most passionate football markets.

16. Moses Mabhida Stadium — Durban, South Africa — 55,500
Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of Africa’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Its arch-top design, adventure tourism attractions, and multi-use flexibility make it a key contributor to Durban’s event economy, spanning football, concerts, and lifestyle activities.

17. Heroes National Stadium — Lusaka, Zambia — 60,000
Completed in 2014, Heroes National Stadium honours victims of the 1993 Zambian national team crash. It is Lusaka’s main football arena and a critical asset for the government’s sports expansion drive, hosting national matches, public ceremonies, and large community events.

18. National Sports Stadium — Harare, Zimbabwe — 60,000
Zimbabwe’s largest stadium, the National Sports Stadium has long served as the venue for national team fixtures and political rallies. Ongoing refurbishment plans aim to align it with CAF and FIFA requirements, reflecting Zimbabwe’s efforts to reclaim regional hosting relevance.

19. 19 May 1956 Stadium — Annaba, Algeria — 56,000
Named after Algeria’s national student movement date, the stadium is home to USM Annaba and key regional tournaments. Recent upgrades have strengthened Annaba’s ability to support international fixtures, enhancing Algeria’s competitive stadium network.

20. Cape Town Stadium — Cape Town, South Africa — 55,000
Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Cape Town Stadium anchors one of Africa’s strongest event markets. Its waterfront location, modern architecture, and steady calendar of football, rugby, and entertainment events make it a major revenue driver for Cape Town’s tourism economy.