Bayelsa State is fast-tracking the construction of a new 25,000-capacity stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa, as it positions itself to host the 2028 National Sports Festival. The push comes shortly after the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, inspected existing sports facilities across the state in preparation for the games.
The groundbreaking for the stadium was performed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in January, and the state aims to complete the project by mid-2027. “The 25,000-capacity expandable stadium is taking shape quickly,” Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, shared on Facebook.
Igali detailed the ongoing construction efforts: “Backfilling is underway—Bayelsa sits below sea level, so strong sand filling is essential for a lasting foundation. Piling continues around the clock to support the weight of this megastructure. Additional machinery is arriving soon to boost progress, and workshops for welding and operations have been relocated directly onto the site for efficiency. Roofed platforms have been set up to support day and night shifts for our workforce.”
The stadium is expected to host the majority of events if Bayelsa secures the bid to host the 2028 festival. “This facility could accommodate up to 60 percent of the events,” Igali noted, crediting Governor Sen. Douye Diri for championing the project.
If successful, Bayelsa would host the festival for the first time. Enugu has already been announced as the host for the 2026 edition, following the 2024 games held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
