In war-scarred Libya, Benghazi International Stadium's rebirth marks a new era for sports

Khaled Hussein, better known by his nickname 'Kamuna', remembers every detail of his first match at Benghazi’s 28 March Stadium.

It was 1997. He was just starting his journey with Al-Nasr Football Club — and that game marked his first taste of victory in a venue that would come to define his career.

Reflecting on that moment, Kamuna told The New Arab, “I played my first football match here and tasted the sweetness of victory within its walls. This stadium means so much to me.”

He added, “Those who haven’t played on the Benghazi International Stadium’s pitch have never truly experienced the joy and thrill of sports.”

Now renamed the Benghazi International Stadium, the venue reopened in February after 16 years of closure and disrepair.

Once a proud symbol of Libya’s sports, the Benghazi stadium had been closed due to conflict. Its reopening is part of broader efforts to revive sports infrastructure across the country, bringing hope to both the city and Libya’s wider sports community.

The transformation is significant. The refurbished stadium can now hold 42,000 spectators, up from 28,000 before it closed in 2008. It features nine main entrances, 24 emergency exits, VIP sections with over 1,200 smart-screen-equipped seats, elevators for disabled access, and various visitor facilities such as restaurants and cafés.

Adding to its significance, the reopening was also approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), making it Libya’s first internationally certified stadium since 2011 — and the country’s third overall, following the venues in Tripoli and Misrata.

Even months after the opening, final touches such as the running tracks are still being completed.

Located in a city that saw some of the fiercest fighting during Libya’s civil war, the stadium stands in a part of eastern Libya controlled by Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).

Although there is no fighting in Benghazi today, signs of the war are still visible, and political divisions are still strong.

Against this backdrop, the stadium’s reopening holds a significance that goes beyond football — a sport loved in Libya. It is part of a broader campaign by local authorities, particularly the Development and Reconstruction Fund (DRF), led by Belqasim Haftar, son of the LNA commander, to invest in public infrastructure and signal a return to stability.

While football is at the heart of these efforts, the push to rebuild Libya’s sports infrastructure doesn’t stop there.

Other major projects are underway, including the construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, martial arts buildings, a handball court, and a modern fitness hall.

Earlier this year, the capital Tripoli also hosted the second round of qualifiers for AfroBasket 2025, further indicating a resurgence in national sports activity.

Sporting heritage revived

Before its closure, Benghazi’s stadium regularly hosted major local and African tournaments and served as a vital venue for discovering athletic talent.

Veteran sports journalist Salah Najm recalled its influence, describing it as “one of Libya’s most iconic venues” for both its sporting and economic contributions.

“It attracts investment in sports and tourism,” Salah said. “It creates jobs in coaching, training, management, and marketing. Beyond economics, it helps keep young people away from violence and toward healthy, productive activities.”

Kamuna, who went on to captain Al-Nasr and win the Libyan Cup three times before retiring in 2014, believes the renovated stadium has the potential to become a national treasure once again.

“This renovation marks a new beginning,” he said. “It could even pave the way for Libya to one day host the Africa Cup of Nations — or maybe even the World Cup.”

Others in Benghazi also feel a strong connection to the stadium.

Among them is weightlifter Osama Ali, 37, who took part in the reopening ceremony and shared fond memories of his childhood in the city.

“As a child, I walked with my father to attend international tournaments at the stadium, which was near our home,” he said.

He continued, “The events weren’t just sports — they were community celebrations, filled with music, laughter, and food. It brought us together.”

That spirit of celebration returned during the reopening match in February, which featured a star-studded lineup of global football icons, including Roberto Carlos, David Trezeguet, Michael Owen, Marco Materazzi, Jens Lehmann, Clarence Seedorf, Michel Salgado, Luís Nani, and Júlio César.

The crowd, including families who hadn’t entered the stadium in over a decade, celebrated what many described as the return of hope.

“This stadium holds countless memories,” Ali said. “It’s a symbol of resilience for Benghazi and all of Libya.”

Although some parts of Libya still face instability and occasional clashes between rival militias, the country’s progress in sports infrastructure continues. More venues, such as those in the northeastern town of Ajdabiya, are gradually coming into shape.

A vision for youth

The revival of the Benghazi stadium is also seen as a step toward rebuilding institutions.

Abdulmunem Al-Amrouni, head of the Football Sub-Federation in Benghazi, believes that the significance of this development goes far beyond the pitch.

“One of the fundamentals of football is suitable infrastructure,” he said. “This stadium reflects the progress being made, and it’s essential we preserve it.”

Abdulmunem also sees the stadium as a catalyst for change among Libya’s youth.

“We want youth to step away from conflict and toward cooperation,” he said. “Sports can lead to that change.”

In a country where conflict and marginalisation have shaped daily life — especially in cities like Benghazi — sports remain one of the few remaining spaces for collective joy and national pride.

Mohammed Al-Farsi, 44, a longtime supporter of Al-Ahly Benghazi and the national team, shared how the stadium’s reopening has brought renewed energy to his community.

“This is where my love for the game began. I used to sneak out of school to watch matches with friends,” he said.

“After years of war and silence, hearing fans cheer again feels like life itself is returning.”

For one night in February, the illuminated pitch provided Libyans with a glimpse of a more unified future — a country coming together in celebration, even if only for 90 minutes.

As Kamuna put it best, “This is more than a stadium. It’s proof we can rebuild — not just bricks, but ourselves.”

Hendia Al Ashepy is a Libyan Benghazi-based journalist with a passion for telling stories of her people

This article is published in collaboration with Egab