Independence Stadium, Football stadium in Bakau, Gambia

Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bakau, about eleven kilometres west of Banjul and five kilometres north of Serekunda. Built by the People's Republic of China, it has floodlights and is used for football, athletics, concerts, political events, trade fairs and national celebrations. Sources give its capacity as 20,000, 25,000 or 40,000; the first match there was played on 13 November 1984.

Independence Stadium was built in 1984 by the People's Republic of China under its stadium diplomacy policy, replacing the Box Bar Stadium in Banjul as the national venue. Its first match, on 13 November 1984, was the SS Ceesay Trophy final between Banjul Hawks and Starlight Gunners. A new stadium board took over management in 2011 after years of poor management.

The stadium hosts Independence Day celebrations on 18 February, including the 2017 inauguration of President Adama Barrow. Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour has performed concerts here repeatedly. In June 2006, Andrew Hawkins, a descendant of slave trader Sir John Hawkins, knelt in chains before 25,000 Africans to ask forgiveness, and Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy removed the chains.

The stadium is located in an easily accessible part of Bakau and draws the largest crowds during home matches of the national team. Visitors should plan for basic facilities and bring water and sun protection, especially during midday events.

In June 2006, Andrew Hawkins, a descendant of England's first slave trader Sir John Hawkins, knelt in chains on this pitch before 25,000 Africans with 20 friends from the Christian charity Lifeline Expedition, asking forgiveness for his ancestor's role in the slave trade; Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy then symbolically removed the chains.