South Sudan, while still developing its sports infrastructure, has a few key stadiums and several smaller grounds used for football, athletics, and community events. Here’s a list of the most notable stadiums in the country:
1. Juba National Stadium
- Location: Juba (Capital City)
- Capacity: ~7,000 (under renovation to expand to ~19,000)
- Use:
- National football matches (men’s and women’s teams)
- Local league matches
- Official ceremonies and cultural events
- FIFA & CAF support: The stadium is being renovated with assistance from FIFA Forward and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to meet international standards.
2. Buluk Playground (Buluk Field)
- Location: Juba
- Capacity: Smaller, community-level venue
- Use: Local football clubs, school sports, training, and recreational games.
3. Wau Stadium
- Location: Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal
- Capacity: Modest; mainly used for regional sports events
- Use: Local football, community events, youth tournaments.
4. Malakal Stadium (under development)
- Location: Malakal, Upper Nile
- Use: Was functional pre-conflict; redevelopment has been discussed for peacebuilding through sports.
Additional Notes:
- Most football matches are played in open fields and community pitches due to limited stadium facilities.
- South Sudan’s football federation (SSFA) is actively working with FIFA and CAF to build more stadiums and training centers.
- Stadium development is also part of the government’s youth engagement and peacebuilding strategy.