Information
Landmark: Stade Laurent PokouCity: San Pedro
Country: Cote d-Ivoire
Continent: Africa
Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pedro, Cote d-Ivoire, Africa
Overview
In San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire, Stade Laurent Pokou stands as a sleek, modern arena at the heart of the nation’s sports scene, especially when the roar of a football crowd fills its bright green pitch.Let’s take a closer look at the stadium-picture the sun glinting off its steel beams: 1.Work on the stadium kicked off in September 2018, and five years later-September 2023-the gates swung open to welcome the first crowd.The stadium was built as part of the push for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which Côte d'Ivoire hosted in the warm, bustling days of early 2024.On September 9, 2023, Côte d’Ivoire kicked off the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with a tight 1–0 win over Lesotho, the lone goal sliding past the keeper in the final minutes.Architectural features: The stadium seats 20,000 fans, with rows of bright red chairs ready for the roar of both national and international football matches.The field has a natural grass pitch, 105 by 68 meters, the exact dimensions used in international matches-with blades soft enough to brush against your shoe.Spectators can get around easily, with 10 public entrances and 4 elevators ready to carry them up past the smell of popcorn in the concourse.The venue has media rooms where reporters can work, locker rooms for players to change, and plenty of other spaces built to keep the atmosphere sharp and professional.The stadium sits within 23 hectares of surrounding grounds, with a training center nearby and 32 villas offering comfortable lodging for players and officials.Step two.AFCON 2023 kicked off on September 9, 2023, with its first official match, where Ibrahim Sangaré of Côte d'Ivoire slipped the ball past Lesotho’s keeper for the lone goal in a 1–0 win.The match mattered-it was part of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers and showed the stadium was ready for big international events, its floodlights glowing against the night sky.AFCON 2023: The stadium was at the heart of the tournament, echoing with the roar of fans throughout the Africa Cup of Nations.During the tournament, it hosted several matches, helping make the event a success and showing off Côte d’Ivoire’s rising status in sports-stadium lights gleaming against the warm evening sky.Number three.The stadium bears the name of Laurent Pokou, a towering figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s football history, remembered for the roar of the crowd each time he scored.They named it for Pokou, whose sharp footwork and lasting impact on the Ivorian national team made the tribute a fitting salute to his football legacy.After AFCON wraps up, Stade Laurent Pokou will keep buzzing with activity, hosting everything from national league matches to international tournaments and local sports days where the crowd smells of fresh-cut grass and grilled peanuts.The stadium stands as a central hub for the region’s sports growth, giving local teams and athletes a place to train hard and compete under bright floodlights.It’s also expected to draw more visitors to the area and give locals a spot to meet, cheer at games, and enjoy concerts under the evening lights.Four.The stadium sits in San Pedro’s northern suburbs, roughly 8 km from the city center, where streets grow quieter and the air smells faintly of the sea.Local buses and shared taxis pull right up to its entrance on the main road heading east to Abidjan, making it easy for fans and visitors from all over the country to get there.Access and facilities are top-notch-the stadium offers plenty of parking, a welcome sight when rows of cars line up for big events.Thanks to its easy access, the stadium draws crowds for everything from soccer matches to concerts, all while keeping spectators comfortable-plush seats, clear sightlines, and quick routes to food stands.Number five.The Stade Laurent Pokou marks a big leap in Côte d’Ivoire’s sports infrastructure, a change you can feel in the fresh paint and steel echoing underfoot.It offers a world-class venue for global events and doubles as a lively center for local gatherings, sports growth, and tourism-on game days, you can smell fresh popcorn drifting through the plaza.Long after AFCON 2023 ends, the stadium will keep shaping the community, driving upgrades to local sports fields, helping young players grow, and sparking passion for football and other games nationwide.The Stade Laurent Pokou has quickly grown into a centerpiece of San Pedro and Côte d’Ivoire’s sports scene, fueling the region’s athletic culture and setting the stage for the roar of crowds at future international events.
