AFCON 2023: All you need to know about the six host stadiums
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which is being hosted by Cote d'Ivoire, is the largest football tournament in Africa, and it starts on Friday in less than five days.
Six stadiums will host the AFCON 2023.
These are the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, the Peace Stadium, the Stadium of Korhogo, the Laurent Pokou Stadium, and the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, all located in the host nation, according to CAFOnline.
All of the information regarding the six stadiums is as follows:
Ebimpe Olympic Stadium
The stadium, which can hold 60,000 people, was constructed in Abidjan between 2016 and 2020.
The tournament's opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Olympic Stadium of Epimbe, which is situated in the nation's economic centre, the city of Abidjan.
One of the main infrastructure legacies of the competition for the host country is the 60,000-seat arena, which will create numerous job opportunities once the final siren is sound.
Notably, the multipurpose venue's construction got underway in 2016, marking the start of the world-class venue's construction.
On October 3, 2020, it was formally opened in front of senior government ministers and officials, followed by a pre-match exhibition between Asec Mimosas and Africa Sports Abidjan, two of the biggest clubs in the country.
The Olympic Stadium is a multipurpose venue with a large hosting capacity and many top-notch amenities, including an athletic track, conference rooms, gyms, an auditorium, and VIP areas.
Boigny Stadium in Felix Houphouet
Constructed in 1952, the Abidjan stadium can accommodate 29,000 spectators. Between 2021 and 2023, renovations were made.
One of the nation's historic sites, named for President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the first Head of State of Cote d'Ivoire, will host Africa's largest event for the second time, having served as one of the two host sites in 1984.
The stadium's structural layout, seating arrangements, playing field, locker rooms, and hospitality suites are all being completely renovated in order to comply with CAF regulations.
In addition to other venue improvements, the seating capacity has been increased to 33,000 in advance of the tournament.
The Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium not only holds football matches but also features an athletic track and has served as the site of several important sporting events in Abidjan.
Peace Stadium
Built in 1983, the 40,000-seat stadium is located in Bouake. The renovations took place in 2019 and 2023.
The Peace Stadium, one of the most famous football stadiums in Cote d'Ivoire, will host its second TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations after serving as one of the host sites in 1984. Peace Stadium is situated in Bouake, the country's second-largest city.
The thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory by Cameroon over Algeria in the 1984 TotalEnergies AFCON semifinal, which saw the Indomitable Lions go on to win the championship, is among the most unforgettable moments at the venue.
Since then, the stadium has undergone significant renovations, going from its initial 15 000 seats to its current 40 000 seats, among other changes made in advance of the competition.
A fully functional media centre, an auditorium, conference spaces, and an improved spectator parking structure to hold the thousands of fans anticipated are among the other enhancements.
Korhogo Stadium
The 20,000-seat stadium was constructed in Korhogo between 2019 and 2023.
The Stadium of Korhogo, situated in the northern region of the city of Korhogo, Cote D'Ivoire, is one of the legacy projects that come with organising an international competition of the scale of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote D'Ivoire 2023.
The expansive 20.17 hectares of land that the newly constructed stadium will occupy will enhance the visual appeal of the city.
With 20,000 spectators, it will feature an excellent natural grass pitch, an athletics track, a media centre, a broadcast compound and all the stadium amenities needed to host major international competitions like the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
Stadium Laurent Pokou
The San Pedro stadium, which can hold 20,000 people, was constructed between 2019 and 2023.
San Pedro Stadium, a stunning architectural structure in Poro's vibrant cultural district, will be remembered for its contribution to the city's infrastructure when it hosts the 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d'Ivoire.
With work set to begin in 2018, the 20,000-seat venue is sure to become a treasure for the Poro area.
Encompassing 23.33 hectares of land, the stadium's sophisticated architecture will be matched by its top-notch amenities, which include an advanced natural grass pitch.
Conference rooms, a media centre, and other amenities are available as well; these will stimulate the economy long after the last whistle blows.
Charles Konan Banny Stadium
The stadium, which can hold 20,000 people, was constructed in Yamoussoukro between 2019 and 2021.
situated in Yamoussoukro, the capital of the country, which is a hive of economic activity all the time.
The recently constructed Yamoussoukro Stadium will enhance the city's economic centre of activity following the tournament and is a part of the city's impressive architecture.
Following two years of construction, on June 3, the stadium hosted its first football game. The hosts defeated Zambia 3-1 in the grand opening match, which qualified them for the TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d'Ivoire 2023 finals.
In addition to an athletics track, conference centres, media centres, and hospitality suites, Yamoussoukro Stadium can accommodate 20,000 spectators.
Total Energies is the official title sponsor of the AFCON 2023.