Kenya’s Harambee Stars will play in front of a sold-out Nyayo Stadium when they face Gabon in a crucial World Cup qualifier. However, many fans have been curious about why only 22,900 tickets were made available for sale despite the stadium’s stated capacity of 30,000.
The Football Kenya Federation had encouraged fans to turn up in large numbers for the match, and the response was overwhelming. By Saturday afternoon, all available tickets had been purchased, ensuring a full house for the highly anticipated game.
Ticket distribution was structured to accommodate different seating categories. There were 100 VVIP tickets, each priced at Ksh10,000, while 1,800 VIP tickets were sold at Ksh1,000 each. For the terraces, 21,000 tickets were available, with fans paying Ksh300 per ticket. This led to total ticket revenue amounting to Ksh9.1 million.
Despite the official stadium capacity being listed at 30,000, only 22,900 tickets were put on sale due to safety regulations set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). These regulations mandate that stadium management must assess the maximum safe capacity before ticket sales commence. Several factors are taken into consideration, including entry, holding, exit, and emergency evacuation capacities.
Safety guidelines dictate that the allowed number of spectators is determined by the number of usable seats, how many people can pass through entry points within an hour, and how quickly a full stadium can be evacuated in case of an emergency. The lowest number derived from these considerations is then set as the maximum safe capacity.
Another contributing factor to the reduced capacity is the stadium’s renovations. Over the years, Nyayo Stadium has undergone improvements, including the installation of new seats, which has slightly reduced the number of available spots. Initially, the 30,000 capacity was based on open terraces without individual seating.
Safety remains a top priority for international football governing bodies. Tragic incidents in stadiums around the world, where fans have been injured or lost their lives due to overcrowding or emergency situations, have led to stricter regulations. FIFA and CAF ensure that stadiums do not operate at full capacity to minimize risks and allow for efficient crowd control in case of any incidents.
With all tickets sold out, Harambee Stars can expect a passionate atmosphere as they take on Gabon in this important fixture. Fans will be hoping for a strong performance from the team as they seek to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
