AFCON 2027: Namboole Stadium Closed For Expansion

AFCON 2027: Namboole Stadium Closed For Expansion

Sampson Adedeji

Uganda’s iconic Nelson Mandela National Stadium, popularly known as Namboole Stadium, has officially been shut down to allow for major renovations and expansion works in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Authorities confirmed on Monday that the multi-purpose facility, located just outside Kampala, will undergo a complete facelift to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for hosting continental tournaments.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the project will see Namboole upgraded to a 60,000-seat capacity, up from its current 45,000.

Plans also include the installation of a state-of-the-art closed roof, a modern hospitality hotel, and an Olympic-standard swimming pool, making it one of the most advanced sports complexes in East Africa.

“We want to give Africa and the world a world-class venue for AFCON 2027,” said Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s State Minister for Sports.

 “The renovations will not only improve football facilities but also transform Namboole into a hub for international events.”

The closure is expected to last until late 2026, leaving local football clubs and the national team, the Cranes, to use alternative venues for home fixtures.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has already begun consultations with other stadiums, including St. Mary’s Kitende and Buhinga Stadium, to host matches during the construction period.

Namboole Stadium, inaugurated in 1997, has been the traditional home ground of the Uganda Cranes and a key venue for athletics, concerts, and political gatherings.

Over the years, however, the facility has faced criticism for poor maintenance and outdated infrastructure.

Uganda, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, will co-host AFCON 2027 the first time East Africa has been awarded the continent’s premier football showpiece since Ethiopia staged it in 1976.

Renovating Namboole is seen as central to Uganda’s readiness for the event.

Construction firms contracted for the project have assured that the work will be completed on schedule, with an initial phase focusing on seating expansion, roofing, and turf replacement before attention shifts to hospitality and aquatic facilities.

Sports analysts believe the revamp will leave a lasting legacy for Ugandan sports. Beyond AFCON, the enhanced Namboole is expected to attract global athletics events, concerts, and conferences, boosting tourism and the local economy.

With the countdown to 2027 underway, Ugandans are optimistic that a world-class Namboole will not only provide a grand stage for African football but also cement the country’s place among Africa’s leading sports destinations.