National Stadium, Lagos

The Lagos National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, which comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2004. It hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It also served as the main stadium for the 1973 All-Africa Games.

National Stadium, Lagos
Full nameNational Stadium
Former namesSurulere Stadium
LocationSurulere, Lagos
OwnerNigerian government
Capacity55,000 (1972)
45,000 (1999)
Record attendance85,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1961
Opened1961
Renovated1972
Expanded1972
ArchitectIsaac Fola-Alade
Tenants
various
Side view of the National stadium

History

When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000. The capacity was then reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The record attendance is 85,000 and was taken in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.

For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left to dilapidate since the early 2000s.[1] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[2] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[3] and had been taken over by area boys[4] and squatters.[5] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[6]

See also

References
  1. "The abandoned National Stadium in Lagos (Editorial)". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  2. "2004 LG Cup results (rsssf.com)". Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  3. Ugbodaga, Kazeem (2006-11-06). "Lagos Agog For Bonnke". PM News (Lagos). Independent Communications Network Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  4. Adingupu, Charles (2007-03-04). "Hoodlums on Lagos highway". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  5. Salami, Adekunle (2008-01-02). "Squatters take over National Stadium". The Punch (Lagos). Punch Nigeria Limited. Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  6. "NSC promises to refurbish Lagos National Stadium". Guardian Newspapers Limited (12-23-2009).
Preceded by
Accra Sports Stadium
Stade du 4-Août		 African Cup of Nations
Final Venue
1980
2000		 Succeeded by
11 June Stadium
Stade 26 mars
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