The Lagos Arena will be the First Purpose-Built, 10 000 Seater Sports and Entertainment Arena in Africa

Project Details
  • Architectural / Interior / Landscape Design: Yazgan Design Architecture
  • Interior Design: Yazgan Design Architecture
  • 3D Image Credits: Ivabox
  • Structural Project: Meinhardt Engineering
  • Mechanical Project: GMD Engineering
  • Electrical Project: EMP Engineering
  • Infrastructure Project: MPK Engineering
  • Acoustical Design Consultant: Mezzo Studio 
  • Fire Consultant: Alara

The Lagos Arena – the first purpose-built Sports and Entertainment arena in Africa- had its ground breaking ceremony this past Saturday with the state governor, local and international partners and other dignitaries in attendance.

Situated on over 6 acres (26.836 sqm) close to the Palms Shopping Mall Lekki, the Lagos arena will have a capacity of 10 000 people and was designed by Turkish architecture practice Yazgan Design Architecture, the firm behind similar arenas in Dakar and Rwanda. From their description, the Lagos Arena is designed mainly as a concert hall, but can also host congresses and sporting activities (basketball, futsal, tennis, volleyball, handball, box) as well as other hospitality opportunities (wedding, lounge, cocktail, exhibition etc.) within various halls of differing sizes.

The design of the Lagos Arena draws inspiration from its waterfront site as well as nautical vessels with its white rings embracing a cascading volume. The cascading volume offers wide terraces in different levels for social activities with a nice view towards the water. The central scheme of the main hall offers a very good sightline for the spectators in the venue. The total construction area of ​​the Lagos Arena is 25 250 sqm.

The Lagos Arena is a product of collaboration between the Lagos State government, Persianas Group, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Oak View Group, and Live Nation, all whom seek to redefine entertainment and sports in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Lagos State Govenor and Dignitaries at Lagos Arena ground breaking ceremony

Inspired by global entertainment venues like the O2 Arena, the Lagos Arena aims to position Lagos, and by extension Nigeria, as a premier destination for international entertainment events. The Lagos Arena will also be a major economic catalyst, creating over 1500 jobs along side the anticipated development of ancillary businesses (hospitality, transportation, food services etc) thus creating a vibrant business ecosystem around entertainment and sports. 

The Lagos Arena is not just a building; it’s a beacon of possibilities for our entertainment industry and is setting the stage for world-class entertainment. Drawing inspiration from iconic arenas around the world yet distinguishing itself, The Lagos Arena is designed to be a jewel in Nigeria’s crown. The aim is to bring Lagos up to par with its global peers, making it a go-to destination for premier international events.

Jide Sanwo Olu

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  1. So Beautiful, good innovations.God please you for this edifice.More tourism and investment for Nigeria Economy.

    1. The multi million BRT terminal built with tax payers money is in the custody of NURTW – Agberos especially the one at Oshodi on the ISOLO side – with people urinating, defecating and traders of all sorts loitering all over.

      Lagos Arena should be handed over to private managers – take a look at Landmark Centre at Oniru VI..it’s a kind of place tourist wants to be

      1. It’s obviously a JV and can be rather assures it’s operations will be privately managed.

      2. God bless you,
        We like good things, but we lack the foresight to maintain it, and we go to other countries to enjoy same facility.
        That Oshodi terminal is an eyesore, the toilets, the dirty environment.
        Who be-witched us?😭

  2. Wrong information, this is not the first of its kind in Africa. There is the BK Arena in Kigali, Sun City Superbowl,Sunbet Arena and others

    1. Read Well. The seating capacity is why it’s one of it kind in Africa. What is others seating capacity?

  3. I pity the Lagos state government for investing so much in public utilities and yethands them over to people who knows next to nothing to manage them. The terminal buildings both in oshodi and ikeja are becoming an eye sore, please privatize them all to foreign concerns with huge expertise and experience. Handing them over to friends or relatives of the governor, president or the oba of Lagos will not work, same goes for the newly completed ARENA.

    1. True, but that’s all they know, friends & family like the BT advert. They hardly do anything based on merit, it’s always based on Patronage and Nepotism and quality is the first thing that’s compromised. Even the Governor – Pointus, is allegedly a cousin to the First Lady.

      So he can’t even maintain ordinary BRT terminals? 😂

      With this new Arena, that Lekki traffic on event days is going to be interesting.

  4. This is great and it’s long overdue…it will do a lot for entertainment in Nigeria but capacity should be like 20k,we should be competitive so artistes can look at making history by selling out the Lagos Arena and pls this project show be completed in no time,no be say dem go talk am now come take like the next 5 years before we hear about it again.

  5. Every state in Nigeria should have something like this and well managed,it will change the game in the entertainment industry,you’ll see your favourite artistes comfortably touring round the country and you can just go to the Arena in your state,what could be better than that!

  6. Honestly the stench around the Oshodi terminal is a great disappointment and embarrassment.Veru very poor hygiene.Why do we hate good things.Fines for urinating around the premises should be issued,adequate toilets provided.What a deep show of shame.A good thing shouldn’t become a curse.That structure has brought honour and respect to Oshodi and Lagos State.

  7. Honestly the stench around the Oshodi terminal is a great disappointment and embarrassment.Veru very poor hygiene.Why do we hate good things.Fines for urinating around the premises should be issued,adequate toilets provided.What a deep show of shame.A good thing shouldn’t become a curse.That structure has brought honour and respect to Oshodi and Lagos State.

    1. They will say that it belongs to the federal government. As if that’s a good enough reason. Just busy wasting money needlessly.

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