Tripoli International Olympic Stadium

Tripoli International Olympic Stadium (Arabic: ملعب طرابلس الأولمبي الدولي) is a multi-purpose stadium located in the El Mina district of Tripoli, Lebanon. The stadium has a seating capacity of 22,400 spectators and is primarily used for football matches and athletics events. It was completed in 1999 as part of Lebanon's wider post-war sports infrastructure development programme. The stadium was one of the host venues for the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, the first AFC Asian Cup tournament hosted by Lebanon. Located near the Rachid Karami International Fair, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the stadium forms part of the larger sports and development zone on the Mediterranean coast of Tripoli. History Construction and development The stadium was constructed during the late 1990s under the supervision of Lebanon's Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). The project formed part of the national "Horizon 2000" reconstruction initiative following the Lebanese Civil War. Construction of the venue was linked to Lebanon's successful bid to host the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. The project aimed to improve sports infrastructure in northern Lebanon and support the decentralisation of major sporting facilities outside Beirut. The stadium was officially opened in 1999 and became one of Lebanon's largest sports venues outside the capital city of Beirut. 2000 AFC Asian Cup Tripoli International Olympic Stadium hosted Group B matches during the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, as well as one quarter-final match. Rugby league The stadium has also hosted international rugby league fixtures involving the Lebanon national rugby league team. In 2002, it hosted a Mediterranean Cup match between Lebanon and France attended by 9,713 spectators. Facilities The stadium includes a natural grass football pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, media and VIP facilities, team dressing rooms and administrative offices. The venue has an official seating capacity of 22,400 spectators. The stadium is designed to host association football matches, athletics competitions and national sporting events. It has also been used for public gatherings and regional sports activities in northern Lebanon. Renovation and rehabilitation 2025 rehabilitation initiative In 2025, the Lebanese Ministry of Youth and Sports announced rehabilitation works at the stadium following years of reduced maintenance linked to Lebanon's economic crisis. The first phase of the project included: Replacement and restoration of the natural grass pitch Rehabilitation of spectator seating sections Renovation of press rooms and sanitary facilities Infrastructure maintenance and utility upgrades Officials stated that the works were intended to restore the stadium's ability to host domestic and international sporting events. Proposed developments The stadium has periodically been included in discussions regarding the redevelopment of sports infrastructure in northern Lebanon and the surrounding Tripoli Special Economic Zone (TSEZ). In 2025 and 2026, Lebanese sports officials and football authorities discussed long-term modernization plans for national stadium infrastructure, including facilities in Tripoli. In January 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino held meetings with Lebanese officials regarding potential support for football infrastructure projects in Lebanon. Discussions included the possibility of constructing or modernizing a football stadium meeting international standards. Industry publications later reported that FIFA was evaluating funding support for a football stadium project in Lebanon as part of wider sports infrastructure initiatives. As of May 2026, Lebanese authorities had not officially confirmed the final project location or whether the Tripoli International Olympic Stadium would be included in the proposed FIFA-supported development plans. See also 2000 AFC Asian Cup Sport in Lebanon Rachid Karami International Fair Lebanon national football team References External links Asian Football Confederation Council for Development and Reconstruction