University of Ghana Sports Stadium – stadium description

How was University of Ghana Sports Stadium built?

When did the construction of University of Ghana Sports Stadium begin?

The project to build a stadium to serve the needs of the University of Ghana was conceived as early as 1976, but construction did not begin until 2004. The work, carried out by Consar LTD, was interrupted in 2009 when the Ghana Education Trust Fund stopped further funding.

During the few years of construction, stands were erected and a tartan running track was laid, but the facility was not fully completed or officially inaugurated. Efforts to complete the project were unsuccessful for the next few years.

When was University of Ghana Sports Stadium completed?

In October 2018, Ghana was awarded the right to host the 2023 African Games, and the initial plan was to build a new 50,000-seat stadium for the competition, which was to stand on the site of the Borteyman Sports Complex in the eastern suburbs of Accra.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the investment was delayed until it finally became unfeasible, so in mid-2021, Plan B was adopted, which included the completion of University of Ghana stadium. As a result, the facility was fully completed and became the main venue for the 13th edition of the African Games.

Work resumed in the second half of 2021, and the contractor was again Consar LTD. The design for the completion of the stadium was prepared by Italian studio Giacomini Architects. The facility was originally intended to be commissioned at the end of 2022, but the deadline could not be met. The Games themselves, due to the economic crisis, were also decided to be postponed, from August 2023 to March 2024.

When was University of Ghana Sports Stadium opened?

The finally completed stadium was put into use just before the Games. The official ceremony, attended by Ghana's Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, took place on March 1, 2024. The African Games took place between March 8–23, 2024, and University of Ghana Sports Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics competitions and some matches of the soccer tournament.

What is the role of University of Ghana Sports Stadium?

After the 2023 African Games, the management of the stadium was taken over by the university, and the facility primarily serves the needs of the university. Initial interest in playing matches at the stadium has also been expressed by Legon Cities FC.

What does University of Ghana Sports Stadium look like?

The stadium is located on the University of Ghana campus, in the northeastern parts of the Accra metropolitan area, on one of the main roads leading north (National Highway 4). There is a training athletics track next to the stadium, and other university sports facilities, including a swimming pool and rugby fields, are not far away.

The stadium is multi-purpose and has an 8-lane (9 tracks on the main straight), tartan athletics track. The running track is surrounded by a single-level ring of stands. The first rows of grandstands are raised slightly above the ground and are located at some distance from the track.

The ring of stands has two separate, central segments. The western segment, with facilities and roofing, is the main stand. The auditorium is equipped with plastic seats, and the capacity of the stadium is 10,000 spectators. The outside of the stands is crowned with a facade (different as for the main stand). Lighting is provided by four external masts. A video screen has also been erected behind the southern curve.

The stadium presents a decent standard, although as for the main venue of the 2023 African Games, it is quite modest.