National Stadium, Lagos

Coordinates: 6°29′49″N 3°21′53″E / 6.49694°N 3.36472°E / 6.49694; 3.36472

National Stadium
Full name Lagos National Stadium
Former names Surulere Stadium
Location Surulere, Lagos
Owner Nigerian government
Capacity 55,000 (1972)
45,000 (1999)
Record attendance 85,000
Surface Grass
Construction
Built 1972
Opened 1972
Renovated 1999
Expanded 1999
Closed 2004
Tenants
Cowrie RFC (rugby union)

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 basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2001. 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. It was closed and abandoned in the year 2004.

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 has been left to dilapidate since 2002.[1] It last hosted a national team game in 2004.[2] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[3] and has 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. 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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