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Friendship Stadium
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Landmark
The Stade de l'Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou is the premier sports venue in Cotonou and serves as the home ground for the Benin national football team. Completed in 1982 through a partnership between the People's Republic of China and Benin, the stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 35,000. It is the central location for major sporting events, cultural festivals, and large-scale political rallies within the country. In 2015, the facility was officially renamed to honor the late President Mathieu Kérékou, a pivotal figure in Benin's history. The complex includes an athletics track and various training fields, making it the heart of national sports development. Geographically situated in the Kouhounou district, the stadium is a major landmark and an essential part of the city's modern infrastructure.
- Location: Benin
- Top sights: Hawaï Bahamas Plage · Échangeur de Godomey · Regroupement des artisans de Cotonou (RAC) village artisanal régional de l'amitié Espaces métiers
- Nearby: Azizakouè (39 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 21 | 33 | 78 | 119 | 174 | 216 | 165 | 93 | 198 | 172 | 55 | 20 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
The Friendship Stadium (Stade de l'Amitié) in Cotonou is the largest stadium in Benin. It is open for football matches and cultural events.
Typical hours
The stadium typically opens on match days a few hours before kickoff. Check the Benin football federation event calendar online.
Photography
Photography during games is generally allowed. For non-private use a permit may be needed - contact stadium authorities.
Time needed
A football match lasts about 90 minutes plus halftime. Budget 2-2.5 hours total including travel and entry.
Combine with
The stadium is located in Cotonou. Combine your visit with Dantokpa Market or the Fondation Zinsou art museum.
Getting there
The Friendship Stadium is located along the coastal road in Cotonou. Taxis and 'Zémidjans' (motorbike taxis) are the fastest transport.
Insider tip
Bring small-denomination cash as card payment is not widely accepted. Beware of pickpockets in crowds.
Geography
Facts
- Capacity of approximately 35,000 spectators.
- Built in 1982 with Chinese cooperation.
- Home stadium of the Benin national football team.
- Renamed in 2015 after President Mathieu Kérékou.
- Hosted the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup final.
- Features a full-size Olympic athletics track.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Friendship Stadium (5)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Are matches held there regularly?
Yes, it is the main stadium for national football matches and events.
Are there guided stadium tours?
Official tours are rare, but you can usually enter the grounds.
How is the atmosphere during events?
Very lively and loud, with typical West African enthusiasm.
Is there parking at the stadium?
Yes, there are large parking areas, but they fill up quickly during events.
Is the stadium safe?
Generally yes, but in large crowds you should watch your belongings.
Friendship Stadium: where is it located?
Friendship Stadium is located in Benin.
Friendship Stadium: what is there to see?
Highlights include Hawaï Bahamas Plage, Échangeur de Godomey, Regroupement des artisans de Cotonou (RAC) village artisanal régional de l'amitié Espaces métiers.
Friendship Stadium: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Friendship Stadium: why is it worth visiting?
The Stade de l'Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou is the premier sports venue in Cotonou and serves as the home ground for the Benin national football team.
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History & landmarks
Bulgaria Square
A notable plaza in Cotonou that commemorates international cooperation during the socialist era.
Cotonou Airport
Cadjehoun International Airport is Benin's primary air transport hub, connecting the country to the world.
Red Star Place
A prominent public square in Cotonou featuring a large red star monument, built during Benin's Marxist-Leninist period in the 1970s.
Fiftieth Anniversary Bridge
A modern bridge in Cotonou inaugurated for the 50th anniversary of independence, improving traffic flow.
Congress Palace of Cotonou
A major venue for international conferences, cultural events, and political gatherings in Benin.
Lenin Square
A historic square in the Akpakpa district that commemorates the political roots of modern Benin.
Presidential Palace
Official office and residence of the President of the Republic of Benin, known as the Palais de la Marina.
Cotonou City Hall
The seat of the Cotonou municipal government, a central building for local politics and administration.
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SOBEBRA Brewery Cotonou
Benin's leading brewery, producing a variety of beers and soft drinks for the entire West African market.
Cotonou Petroleum Terminal
A strategic facility for the import and storage of fuels, serving Benin and neighboring countries.
Gulf of Guinea
The Gulf of Guinea forms the entire southern coast of Benin and is part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Bight of Benin
The Bight of Benin is a large bay in the northern part of the Gulf of Guinea, where Benin is located.