Contrary to the predictions that stadiums are getting cheaper by the day, sports stadiums are becoming more and more expensive as more spectators and spectators come. As you look around these great places, the question that keeps popping up is: how much did it cost to build these things? Today, let’s take a look at the 20 most expensive stadiums in Africa. I bet number 1 on the list will make you dizzy.
JUNE 11 STADIUM [#20]
Construction cost: $50 million
Country: Libya
Capacity: 88,000
The June 11 Stadium, named after the date of withdrawal of US forces from Libya, June 11, 1970, is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripoli, Libya. With a capacity of 88,000, it is one of the largest stadiums in Africa. It is home to the Libya national football team, which is used during FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as friendly matches and other international matches.
STADE D’ANGONDJE [#19]
Construction cost: $50 million
Country: Gabon
Capacity: 40,000
The Stade d’Angondjé, also known as the Stade del’Amitie (Friendship Stadium) is a stadium in Angondjé, a suburb of Libreville in Gabon. It was one of four stadiums used for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and hosted the final and was built by China’s Shanghai Construction Group on a 30-hectare site.
BENJAMIN MKAPA NATIONAL STADIUM [#18]
Construction cost: $56 million
Country: Tanzania
Capacity: 60,000
Built by the Beijing Construction, this stadium opened in Dar-res-Saleem, Tanzania in 2007 and is named after the country’s third president, Benjamin William Mkapa. Despite being a multi-purpose stadium, it is primarily a football venue and home to the country’s national team.
RAISING MWANAWAZA STADIUM [#17]
Construction cost: $65 million
Country: Zambia
Capacity: 49,800
Levy Mwanawasa was the third President of Zambia, serving from 2002 until his death in 2008. The Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola was named in his honor. It is mainly used for soccer games. The stadium has a capacity of 49,800 people.
ESTADIO DA TUNDAVALA [# 16]
Construction cost: $69 million
Country: Angola
Capacity: 25,000
Tundavala National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lubango, Hulia Province, Angola. Completed in 2010, it is mainly used for football matches and was the site of some events for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people.
BINGO NATIONAL STADIUM [#15]
Construction cost: $70 million
Country: Malawi
Capacity: 40,500
The Bingu National Stadium Project is the brainchild of the late President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika. The Cabinet therefore saw fit to honor the late President by naming the stadium after him. The 40,500-seat stadium is located at Area 48 in Lilongwe.
CHIAZI NATIONAL STADIUM [#14]
Construction cost: $76 million
Country: Angola
Capacity: 20,000
Located in the coastal province of Cabinda, the Chiazi National Stadium is among the most beautiful stadiums in Angola. This is where the Group B matches for the 2010 Africa Nations Cup took place. The new stadium, also called Estadio Chimandela, has a capacity of around 20,000 spectators.
ESTADIO DO ZIMPETO [# 13]
Construction costs: 80 million US dollars
Country: Mozambique
Capacity: 42,000
Built by the Chinese company Anhui Foreign, the Estádio do Zimpeto economic assembly is a multi-purpose stadium in the city of Maputo in Zimpeto, Mozambique. It is mainly used for football after being inaugurated on April 23, 2011. It was also the main stadium for the 2011 All-Africa Games. It has a capacity of 42,000 spectators.
NATIONAL HEROES STADIUM [#12]
Construction cost: $94 million
Country: Zambia
Capacity: 50,000
National Heroes Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lusaka, Zambia named after the 1993 Zambia national football team who died returning from a football match. It is currently used primarily for football matches and hosts the home games of the Zambia national football team. Opened in 2013, the stadium holds 50,000 spectators.
AKWA IBOM INTERNATIONAL STADIUM [#11]
Construction cost: 96 million US dollars
Country: Nigeria
Capacity: 30,000
Akwa Ibom International Stadium is a National All-Seater Sports Stadium in Uyo, the state capital of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The stadium is used by Nigerian Super Eagles and is a center for various social, cultural and religious events. The contract for the construction of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games Village was awarded to Julius Berger in 2012 and completed in 2014. The state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports complex with 30,000 seats was modeled on the Allianz Arena.
ESTADIO NACIONAL DE OMBAKA [# 10]
Construction cost: $100 million
Country: Angola
Capacity: 35,000
The Estadio Nacional de Ombaka, also called The Ombaka National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bengula, Angola. It was completed in 2010 and is mainly used for soccer games. It also hosted some events for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 people.
STADE OLYMPIQUE DE RADES [#9]
Construction cost: 110 million US dollars
Country: Tunisia
Capacity: 60,000
This multipurpose stadium is located in Rades,Tunisia. The beautiful masterpiece was built and opened in 2001 as one of the stadiums used for the Mediterranean Games. This makes this list not only expensive but also ecstatic.
MBOMBELA STADIUM [#8]
Construction cost: 140 million US dollars
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 40,929
Mbombela Stadium is a newly built, open field, 40,929 seat stadium located six kilometers west of Nelspriut, South Africa. It was one of the ten venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Construction began in February 2007 and was completed in November 2009. The construction contract was awarded to Basil Read Construction and Bouygues Construction. The stadium is the centerpiece of a planned broader sports zone incorporating athletics and cricket as well as other sporting rules.
PETER MOKABA STADIUM [#7]
Construction cost: 150 million US dollars
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 41,733
Peter Mokaba Stadium is a union football and rugby stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, named after former ANC Youth League leader Peter Mokaba. The stadium is one of five new stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It has a capacity of 41,733 and was used for the World Cup. The stadium was used extensively for training and matches, so the natural grass has been reinforced with synthetic fibers that anchor the field in a stable and level turf.
ESTADIO 11 DE NOVEMBRO [# 6]
Construction cost: $227 million
Country: Angola
Capacity: 50,000
Estádio 11 de Novembro, named after the date of Angola’s independence, is located in the municipality of Belas in Luanda, Angola. It is a multipurpose stadium. The 50,000-seater stadium, which was completed in 2010 ahead of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted nine matches during the tournament, including five Group A matches, one Group B match, one quarter-final, one semi-final and the final. It is currently used regularly by football clubs Premeiro de Agosto and Petro de Luanda, who play in Girabola.
NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM [#5]
Construction cost: 270 million US dollars
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 48,459
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48,000 seat stadium in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is the first time a world-class football stadium has been built in the Eastern Cape Province. The stadium has 48,459 seats plus 4,000 additional seats temporarily installed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has also been used as a concert venue.
ABUJA NATIONAL STADIUM [#4]
Construction cost: $360 million
Country: Nigeria
Capacity: 60,491
The Abuja National Stadium is an all-seater national sports stadium in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The stadium is home to the Nigeria national football team. The Federal Government of Nigeria approved the contract to build the stadium on July 18, 2000 for the 8th All Africa Games held in October 2003. The stadium with a capacity of 60,491 spectators is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports complex.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK (FNB) STADIUM aka FOOTBALL CITY [#3]
Construction cost: $440 million
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 94,736
The FNB Stadium, popularly known as Soccer City, or The Calabash (due to its resemblance to the African pot) is one in Nasrec, South Africa. With a capacity of 94,736, Soccer City is the largest stadium in Africa. It is home to Kaizer Chiefs FC and the South Africa national football team. After his release from prison in 1990, Nelson Mandela gave his first speech in Johannesburg and made a public appearance in the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup between Netherlands and Spain.
MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM [#2]
Construction cost: $450 million
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 54,000
This stadium is located in Durban, which hosted most of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. Inside is a modern sports institute and a transmodal transport facility which was necessary because of the World Cup. It currently seats 54,000, although during the World Cup it had a seating capacity of 62,760.
CAPE TOWN STADIUM [#1]
Construction cost: $600 million
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 64,100
With a construction cost of 600 million US dollars, the Cape Town Stadium in the legislative capital of South Africa is the most expensive stadium in Africa. The stadium, often referred to as “Green Point Stadium” because it sits on land formerly occupied by Green Point Stadium, was built by a local firm, Murray & Roberts Construction Company.
