Japoma Stadium

Construction of Japoma Stadium began in the context of Cameroon's preparations to host the Africa Cup of Nations. After Cameroon lost the rights to host AFCON 2019 in 2018 due to insufficient infrastructure readiness, the Cameroonian government launched a massive programme of new sports construction -- and Douala, as the country's largest city, was assigned a brand-new arena.

Construction and opening

The new stadium was built by Magil Construction, a Canadian construction firm that was simultaneously working on the completion of the Stade Paul Biya in Yaoundé. Construction ran from 2016 to 2019 and the stadium was inaugurated in 2019. The architectural design emphasises modern tiered stands, comfortable spectator facilities and full compliance with CAF Category A tournament requirements. A sweeping curved roof covers all seating areas, protecting spectators from the heavy tropical rains that characterise Douala's climate year-round.

AFCON 2021 -- Douala as host city

The centrepiece of Cameroon's AFCON 2021 championship was Yaoundé, but Douala and Japoma Stadium played a pivotal role as the second most important host node. The ground staged group-stage matches in Groups C and D, with national teams including Morocco, Ghana, Gabon, Senegal, Guinea, Zimbabwe and Malawi competing here. Senegal -- the eventual champions -- played part of their group campaign at Japoma on their way to winning the title in the final at Yaoundé.

Major renovations

Since its 2019 opening the stadium has undergone regular technical adjustments, particularly in LED floodlighting systems for broadcast requirements, pitch maintenance and crowd management infrastructure at entry points. Following the crowd control challenges experienced across Cameroon during AFCON 2022, authorities have invested in enhanced ticketing systems and safety protocols for large-scale events.

Douala is the pulsating economic heart of Cameroon and the fan culture here bears the imprint of a cosmopolitan port city -- vibrant, vocal and intensely passionate. Football is deeply embedded in daily life in Douala and matches at Japoma Stadium attract dedicated local supporters as well as fans travelling from across the country.

Cameroon's football tradition

Cameroon is one of Africa's most successful football nations, having claimed the Africa Cup of Nations title five times (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017). The national team, the Indomitable Lions (Les Lions Indomptables), is a permanent fixture of African football's elite. Douala has produced many celebrated Cameroonian players and local supporters follow the sport with undisguised pride. Rhythmic drumming, singing and colourful flags in the green, red and yellow of the Cameroonian flag create an unforgettable backdrop when the stadium is full.

Local clubs

Douala is home to some of Cameroon's most storied club football. Clubs such as Union Douala and Tonnerre Douala have strong local followings and compete regularly in the Elite One. The rivalry between Douala-based clubs and those from the capital Yaoundé -- including the legendary Canon Yaoundé -- is one of the fiercest in Central African football and generates some of the most electric atmospheres in the domestic game.

AFCON 2022 at Japoma

During the Africa Cup of Nations 2022, Japoma Stadium was transformed into a stage for a pan-continental football celebration. Group-stage fixtures drew thousands of fans from across Africa -- Moroccan drumming groups, Senegalese supporters in yellow and green, Ghanaian ultras in black and gold. The atmosphere blended local Cameroonian passion with a pan-African spirit, and matches in Douala were among the tournament's most vivid and colourful encounters.

Japoma Stadium is located in the Japoma district on the eastern outskirts of Douala, approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre of Cameroon's largest city. Douala is Cameroon's principal international aviation hub -- Douala International Airport (DLA) is served by direct flights from Paris, Brussels, Istanbul and other major European cities, making it the natural entry point to the country.

How to get there

• Taxi: Private and shared taxis are the primary mode of transport in Douala; the journey from the city centre takes approximately 25--40 minutes depending on traffic, with fares negotiated in advance at roughly 2,000--4,000 XAF (approximately EUR 3--7).
• Ride-sharing: The Yango app operates in Douala and offers a convenient alternative to traditional taxis, with upfront pricing displayed before booking.
• Car: The stadium is accessible via the main road towards Edea; parking is available within the sports complex grounds.
• Shared minivan: Shared minivans (benskin) run from central Douala towards the Japoma area, but for matchdays a taxi is generally preferable for speed and comfort.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Cameroon national team fixtures and league matches are sold through FECAFOOT (Fédération Camerounaise de Football) and at the stadium box office. For international tournaments such as AFCON, ticketing is centralised through CAF and accredited agencies. Organised stadium tours for the public outside matchdays are not regularly offered -- contact the stadium administration directly for access.

Visitor tips

• Climate: Douala is one of the wettest cities in the world, with annual rainfall exceeding 4,000 mm. A rain jacket or compact umbrella is essential, especially during the main rainy seasons (April--June and August--October).
• Arrive early: Plan to be at the ground at least 45--60 minutes before kick-off -- security checks and entry procedures can be time-consuming, particularly at international events.
• Where to stay: Douala city centre offers hotels across all price ranges; the Bonanjo and Akwa districts are practical bases for a stadium visit, with good taxi connections to Japoma.
• Local food: Street stalls and restaurants near the stadium serve Cameroonian cuisine -- ndolé (bitterleaf stew with groundnuts and meat), grilled soya chicken skewers and fresh tropical fruit are all available at very reasonable prices.