The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 is just around the corner, and Ivory Coast is gearing up to host the continent’s biggest football extravaganza. The tournament will kick off on January 13 and end on February 11, with 24 teams vying for the coveted trophy. But the action on the pitch is not the only thing that will dazzle the fans and the viewers. Ivory Coast has also prepared six magnificent stadiums in five different cities to showcase its beauty, culture, and hospitality.
Here are the venues that will make you fall in love with Ivory Coast:
Alassane Ouattara Stadium
This is the jewel in the crown of Ivory Coast’s stadiums. Located in Ebimpe, a suburb of Abidjan, this stadium boasts a capacity of 60,000 seats and a futuristic design. It is the largest and newest stadium in the country, and it will host the opening and final matches of the tournament. The stadium is named after the current president of Ivory Coast, who inaugurated it in October 2020.
Games at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara:
- January 13: Ivory Coast vs Guinea Bissau (Group A)
- January 14: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea (Group A)
- January 18: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau (Group A)
- January 18: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria (Group A)
- January 22: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast (Group A)
- January 22: Mozambique vs Ghana (Group B)
- January 28: Last 16
- February 2: Quarter-final
- February 7: Semi-final
- February 11: Final
Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium
This is the oldest and most historic stadium in the country. Situated in the heart of Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, this stadium has a capacity of 33,000 seats and a rich legacy. It was built in 1952 and named after the first president of Ivory Coast, who led the country to independence in 1960. The stadium has been renovated for the tournament, and it will host some of the group stage and knockout matches.
Games at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny:
- January 14: Egypt vs Mozambique (Group B)
- January 14: Ghana vs Cape Verde (Group B)
- January 18: Egypt vs Ghana (Group B)
- January 19: Cape Verde vs Mozambique (Group B)
- January 22: Guinea Bissau vs Nigeria (Group A)
- January 22: Cape Verde vs Egypt (Group B)
- January 27: Last 16
- January 29: Last 16
- February 2: Quarter-final
- February 10: Third place play-off
Stade de la Paix
This is the second-largest stadium in the country, with a capacity of 40,000 seats. Located in Bouake, the second-largest city of Ivory Coast, this stadium has a symbolic name that means “Stadium of Peace”. It was built in 2008 as part of the efforts to reconcile the country after a civil war that divided it into two regions. The stadium has also been renovated for the tournament, and it will host some of the group stage and knockout matches.
Games at Stade de la Paix:
- January 15: Algeria vs Angola (Group D)
- January 16: Burkina-Faso vs Mauritania (Group D)
- January 20: Algeria vs Burkina-Faso (Group D)
- January 20: Mauritania vs Angola (Group D)
- January 23: Gambia vs Cameroon (Group C)
- January 23: Mauritania vs Algeria (Group D)
- January 27: Last 16
- February 3: Quarter-final
- February 7: Semi-final
Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
This is one of the three brand new stadiums that Ivory Coast has built for the tournament. Located in Korhogo, a city in the north of the country, this stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats and a modern architecture. It is named after the former prime minister of Ivory Coast, who died in 2020 and was widely respected for his contributions to the country’s development. The stadium will host some of the group stage matches.
Games at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly:
- January 16: Tunisia vs Namibia (Group E)
- January 16: Mali vs South Africa (Group E)
- January 20: Tunisia vs Mali (Group E)
- January 21: South Africa vs Namibia (Group E)
- January 24: South Africa vs Tunisia (Group E)
- January 24: Tanzania vs DR Congo (Group F)
- January 30: Last 16
Stade Charles Konan Banny
This is another brand new stadium that Ivory Coast has built for the tournament. Located in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Ivory Coast, this stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats and a sleek design. It is named after the former president of Ivory Coast, who died in 2021 and was praised for his role in the peace process that ended the civil war. The stadium will host some of the group stage matches.
Games at Stade Charles Konan Banny:
- January 15: Senegal vs Gambia (Group C)
- January 15: Cameroon vs Guinea (Group C)
- January 19: Senegal vs Cameroon (Group C)
- January 19: Guinea vs Gambia (Group C)
- January 23: Guinea vs Sengal (Group C)
- January 23: Angola vs Burkina Faso (Group D)
- January 29: Last 16
- February 3: Quarter-final
Stade Laurent Pokou
This is the third brand new stadium that Ivory Coast has built for the tournament. Located in San Pedro, a port city in the south-west of the country, this stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats and a colorful appearance. It is named after the legendary Ivorian striker, who died in 2016 and was regarded as one of the best African players of all time. The stadium will host some of the group stage matches.
Games at Stade Laurent Pokou
- January 17: Morocco vs Tanzania
- January 17: DR Congo vs Zambia
- January 21: Morocco vs DR Congo
- January 21: Zambia vs Tanzania
- January 24: Namibia vs Mali
- January 24: Zambia vs Morocco
- January 28: Last 16
- January 30: Last 16
