Martyrs' stadium, Football stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Stade des Martyrs is a large sports stadium in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with room for 80,000 spectators. The facility ranks among the largest of its kind on the African continent and features a playing field, stands, and auxiliary buildings for different events.
The stadium opened in 1993 as Stade Kamanyola and received its current name in 1997 to honor four ministers executed in 1966. Major renovations to dressing rooms, lighting, and spectator facilities took place in 2008, 2021, and 2023.
The venue is named after four martyrs and serves as home to the Congolese national team and local clubs. Spectators fill the stands regularly for football matches that shape the sporting life of the capital.
Football matches can draw large crowds, so arriving early helps navigate the entrances and find suitable seating. The stands offer different views, with central sections generally providing better sightlines to the playing field.
Pope Francis addressed 80,000 young Congolese here in February 2023, speaking about the challenges of tribalism and corruption. The visit marked a rare moment when the stadium hosted a religious gathering rather than a sporting event.
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