Built in 1964 to organize the "Games of Abidjan", the stadium was formerly known as
Stade Andre Geo, and it took the name of the President Felix Houphouet-Boigny after undergoing restoration. Gradually it emerged as the National Stadium, hosting the ASEC Mimosas and Ivorian Soccer Team. Along the Stadium of Peace of Bouake, Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny hosted Africa Cup of Nations soccer. In 2009 after a complete renovation, which included lawn seating and the treatment room, the stadium hosted the
2009 African Championship of Nations. The stadium was renovated for the
2017 Jeux de la Francophonie. The stadium played host to
Amnesty International's
Human Rights Now! Benefit Concert on October 9, 1988. The show was headlined by
Sting and
Peter Gabriel and also featured
Bruce Springsteen & The
E Street Band,
Tracy Chapman and
Youssou N'Dour. The American singer
Chris Brown finished his
Carpe Diem Tour at this stadium on December 30, 2012.
Incidents On March 29, 2009, during the match between Ivory Coast and Malawi, the gateway to an open corner of the stadium gave way before the kick-off of the match.
A stampede ensued when 19 people were killed by trampling. Over 130 were injured as well. On January 1, 2013, following a New Year's Eve fireworks display,
another stampede took place, in which sixty-one lives were claimed, with upwards of 200 injuries sustained.
2020 Renovations Renovations for the
2023 Africa Cup of Nations began in April 2020 and concluded in 2023. The renovation was performed by
Mota-Engil and included the installation of a complete roof and an increase in capacity to 33,000 seats.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations The stadium is one of the venues for the
2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The following matches are being played at the stadium: ==Structure==