On February 20, the grand opening of the Benghazi International Stadium took place. The event was presided over in the VIP box by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who organized a more than two-hour spectacle preceding the legends' match.

An incredible opening ceremony

The program featured live music, drones forming the Libyan flag in the sky, an eagle’s image, the famous phrase I Love Benghazi, and holographic images of ships that seemed to come to life. The climax of the show included concerts and a fireworks display.

Then, international football stars took the field, including Samuel Eto’o, Roberto Carlos, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, John Terry, Marco Materazzi, Julio Cesar, and David Trezeguet. They were joined by other football champions such as Jens Lehmann, Michel Salgado, Michael Owen, Julio Baptista, Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma. The sporting celebration turned into a nationwide event – the mayor of Benghazi declared February 20 a public holiday, leading to the closure of both government offices and private businesses.

The match itself was secondary compared to the spectacular opening ceremony. The first ball literally fell from the sky to the sounds of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida, after which a player on a hoverboard entered the field with the Libyan flag. The stadium’s opening marks a step towards normalization and development for both the city and the entire country, which in February celebrates the 14th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. This event, also known as the February 17 Revolution, began on February 15, 2011, as part of the Arab Spring that led to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

© Benghazi International Stadium

What does the new stadium look like?

Benghazi International Stadium, financed by the Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund, was built according to the latest international standards set by FIFA. The covered stands can accommodate approximately 42,000 spectators, a significant increase compared to the previous capacity of 28,000 seats. The stadium has 9 main entrances and 24 emergency exits, allowing for efficient crowd movement. Organizers confirmed that in case of an emergency, the stadium can be evacuated within 7 minutes.

The facility also includes special stands for VIP guests and diplomats, offering 1,266 seats equipped with smart screens. Additionally, the stadium is designed to accommodate people with disabilities, featuring elevators and numerous service points such as restaurants and cafés. The arena is also equipped with professional television broadcasting rooms, a VAR room, 177 restrooms distributed throughout the facility, two large rooftop screens, and a high-quality sound system ensuring clear audio and effective communication across the stadium.

© Libyan National Army