Stade Amahoro – stadium description

What was the history of Stade Amahoro until the big expansion?

Stade Amahoro, located in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, is the largest stadium in the country and serves as the national stadium. The facility was built in the 1980s with Chinese aid. During the ethnic cleansing of 1994, it became famous as a place giving refugees shelter. In 2018, the Rwanda Housing Authority announced its intention to expand the stadium.

Before the Stade Amahoro expansion took place, a new Kigali Arena (BK Arena), the largest in Rwanda and all of East Africa, was built next to it in 2019, replacing the auxiliary fields. Combined with the expanded stadium, this was to create a modern sports complex.

The former Stade Amahoro as it was from 1986 to 2022 can be seen on a separate subpage

When was the Stade Amahoro expanded?

Expansion of Stade Amahoro began in the first half of 2022. The main contractor for the work was the Turkish company Summa Construction Inc. (with the help of local companies), which also built the nearby arena in 2019. The work went according to plan and took about two years, with the project costing $170 million.

An account of the Stade Amahoro expansion can be seen on a separate subpage

When was the Stade Amahoro inaugurated after reconstruction?

The first match at the expanded Stade Amahoro took place on June 15, 2024. At that time, two successful Rwandan clubs, APR FC and Rayon Sports, faced each other in a friendly match, in front of a large crowd (the score was 0–0).

However, the official inauguration took place on July 1, 2024. The stadium was inaugurated by Rwandan President Paul Kagame while CAF President Patrice Motsepe was also a guest at the event. The opening ceremony featured a match for the commemorative trophy (Amahoro Stadium Inauguration Trophy) between the current Rwandan champion, APR FC, and the Cup winner, Police FC, ending with a 1–0 score.

The Rwandan national team made its first appearance at the expanded Stade Amahoro on September 10, 2024, drawing 0–0 with Nigeria in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

What did the Stade Amahoro expansion included?

With the expansion, the Stade Amahoro has significantly increased in size. A brand new second tier was added to the existing stands, increasing the outer perimeter of the venue to 800 meters. The pre-existing stands (the current lower level) were renovated, and missing lower parts were added to the curves. The pitch was also raised 2 meters up, bringing it closer to the stands. The stadium retained the athletics track and its oval shape.

The stands received a decorative façade and a new canopy. Despite the installation of seats throughout the auditorium (standing room was eliminated), the stadium's capacity increased from 25,000 to 45,000 spectators. The entire reconstruction significantly raised the standard of the facility and its commercial capacity.

The scale of the renovation was so large that one can practically speak of the creation of a completely new facility. The completed project is even seen as a symbol of the rebirth and transformation that has taken place in the country in the 30 years since the infamous Tutsi genocide.

The Stade Amahoro expansion project can be seen on a separate subpage

How has the surrounding area of Stade Amahoro changed with its expansion?

On the occasion of the Stade Amahoro expansion, the older sports hall located next door, the so-called Petit Stade, and the Paralympic gymnasium were also modernized. The entire surroundings have been redesigned, and a training athletics track with four tracks (six on the main straight), a pitch and illumination have been built behind the east stand of the stadium.

What are the characteristics of the Stade Amahoro?

Stade Amahoro has an oval shape and is equipped with a pitch with hybrid turf and an athletics track. The running track is surrounded by high, two-tiered stands that can accommodate 45,000 spectators. The stands feature folding seats in green, yellow and blue (these colors are on the Rwandan flag).

The west stand has VIP areas and skyboxes. The facility also has seats for journalists as well as wheelchair users and their companions. The stadium is equipped with four locker rooms for players and other facilities needed for various events. In addition, the stadium has stores, bars and restaurants.

The stands are covered by a canopy, under which are suspended floodlights, a sound system and two video screens. From the outside, the building is shielded by an ornate façade with traditional immigongo patterns, corresponding with the architecture of other buildings in the complex, including the Kigali Arena.

Amahoro in the Kinyarwanda language means peace, so Stade Amahoro means “Peace Stadium”.

What is the role of Stade Amahoro?

Stade Amahoro is the largest and most modern stadium in Rwanda (and one of the largest in the entire region), serving as the national stadium. In addition to matches of the Rwandan national team, it hosts matches of local clubs, as well as cultural events. Thanks to its modern infrastructure, the facility can host sporting and non-sporting events of high international stature.

What is located in the surroundings of Stade Amahoro?

The stadium, along with the Kigali Arena located next door, which opened in 2019 (it received the commercial name BK Arena in 2022), forms a sports complex that also includes an older sports hall (Petit Stade) and a training athletics track. The complex is located less than 3 km west of the Kigali airport terminal.