| National Stadium, Lagos | |
| Fullname: | National Stadium |
| Former Names: | Surulere Stadium |
| Location: | Surulere, Lagos |
| Built: | 1961 |
| Opened: | 1961 |
| Renovated: | 1972, 2024 |
| Expanded: | 1972 |
| Architect: | Isaac Fola-Alade |
| Project Manager: | Albino Luigino Davanzo |
| Owner: | Nigerian government |
| Surface: | Grass |
| Capacity: | 55,000 (1972) 45,000 (1999) |
| Record Attendance: | 85,000 |
| Tenants: | Cowrie Rugby Football Club (rugby union) |
The Lagos National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. It comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for athletics, rugby union, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2004. It has 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.[1] [2]
When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000.[3] The capacity was later reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The highest attendance, 85,000, was recorded in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.[4]
Its 50-meter pool was closed in 1999.[5]
For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left in dilapidated state since the early 2000s until 2022 when the FG began renovation work at the stadium.[6] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[7] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[8] and has been taken over by area boys[9] and squatters.[10] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[11]
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March 1980 | 3–1 | Group A | |||
| 2–1 | |||||
| 12 March 1980 | 2–1 | ||||
| 0–0 | |||||
| 15 March 1980 | 1–1 | ||||
| 1–0 | |||||
| 19 March 1980 | 1–0 | Semifinal | |||
| 21 March 1980 | 2–0 | Third place match | |||
| 22 March 1980 | 3–0 | Final |
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 April 1999 | 1–1 | 37,500 | Group A | ||
| 4 April 1999 | 4–0 | 2,500 | |||
| 7 April 1999 | 2–0 | 20,000 | |||
| 1–3 | 18,000 | ||||
| 10 April 1999 | 1–2 | 25,000 | |||
| 2–1 | 22,000 | ||||
| 14 April 1999 | 2–2 | 1,500 | Round of 16 | ||
| 18 April 1999 | 2–1 | 10,000 | Quarter-final | ||
| 21 April 1999 | 1–2 | 8,000 | Semi-final | ||
| 24 April 1999 | 1–0 | 35,000 | Third place play-off | ||
| 4–0 | 38,000 | Final |
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 January 2000 | 4–2 | 80,000 | Group D | ||
| 25 January 2000 | 1–0 | 8,000 | |||
| 28 January 2000 | 0–0 | 60,000 | |||
| 29 January 2000 | 0–0 | 5,000 | |||
| 1 February 2000 | 2–2 | 2,000 | Group C | ||
| 3 February 2000 | 2–0 | 60,000 | Group D | ||
| 7 February 2000 | 2–1 | Quarterfinal | |||
| 10 February 2000 | 2–0 | Semifinal | |||
| 13 February 2000 | 2–2 | Final |