Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, located in Kigali, Rwanda, is the nation’s first dedicated international cricket ground and a symbol of the sport’s growth in East Africa. Officially opened in October 2017, the stadium has quickly become a prominent hub for African cricket, offering world-class facilities that blend modern architecture with community-driven spirit.
With its picturesque setting amid Rwanda’s rolling hills, Gahanga stands as a beacon of cricket’s expansion beyond traditional powerhouses, hosting international matches, regional tournaments, and grassroots development programs.
The stadium regularly hosts T20Is, ODIs, ICC qualifiers, and domestic Rwandan cricket fixtures, serving as the home ground for the Rwanda national cricket team.
It features:
- Iconic architectural design with stone-based pavilion inspired by Rwanda’s culture
- Modern player facilities, dressing rooms & training nets
- Media centre, corporate boxes & VIP hospitality lounges
- Floodlights for day/night matches
- Lush green outfield surrounded by Rwanda’s scenic hills
📍 Location & Accessibility
- City: Kigali, Rwanda
- Area: Gahanga sector, Kicukiro District (outskirts of Kigali)
- Proximity: About 12 km from Kigali International Airport
- Transport: Easily accessible by road from central Kigali; parking facilities available
- Environment: Set amid Rwanda’s famous “land of a thousand hills,” offering breathtaking countryside views
🏏 Cricket History
- Inauguration: October 2017, funded by the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation with support from global cricket enthusiasts and charities
- International Debut: Hosted its first international T20I in 2021 (Rwanda vs Ghana, ICC Africa qualifiers)
- Significance: First proper cricket stadium in Rwanda, marking the nation’s entry onto the global cricketing map
- Multi-purpose Use: Hosts domestic cricket, international qualifiers, women’s tournaments, and community events
Historic Matches & Events:
- 2017: Opening match featuring Rwanda vs Uganda All Stars
- 2021: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier matches
- 2022: Hosted Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament (in memory of Rwanda’s genocide victims)
- 2023: Rwanda Women registered record-breaking performances during ICC Women’s T20 qualifiers here
🌟 Key Highlights & Features
- Seating Capacity: ~10,000
- Speciality: First international-standard cricket ground in Rwanda & East Africa
- Pitch Behavior: Generally batting-friendly with some assistance to seamers early on
- Facilities: Pavilion with cultural Rwandan stone architecture, dressing rooms, media centre, VIP lounges
- Floodlights: Installed for day-night matches
- Tourist Attraction: Located in Kigali’s scenic outskirts, easily combinable with wildlife safaris & Kigali city tours
🏟️ Pitch & Outfield Characteristics
- Pitch Type: Balanced surface; seamers get early movement, while batters dominate once settled
- Spin: Effective in middle overs as surface wears down
- Batting Conditions: Favorable for stroke play; outfield allows quick boundaries
- Outfield: Well-maintained lush green, fast for aggressive cricket
- Day/Night Matches: Floodlights provide excellent visibility; cooler evenings assist bowlers
🔥 Famous Matches & Tournaments
- 2017: Inaugural Rwanda vs Uganda All Stars exhibition match
- 2021: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifiers
- 2022–23: Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament (annual, hosting multiple African teams)
- 2023: Rwanda Women created global headlines with historic T20I wins here
🎉 Fan Experience
- Atmosphere: Community-driven, energetic, family-friendly
- Seating: Comfortable seating stands and open grassy banks for fans
- Family-Friendly: Food stalls, safe environment, local cultural events during matches
- Tourism Blend: Fans often combine cricket with Kigali’s attractions – Genocide Memorial, Volcanoes National Park (gorilla trekking), and Lake Kivu
- Unique Appeal: A stadium built by passion, symbolizing cricket’s growth in Africa with a unique Rwandan cultural touch
👉 Gahanga International Cricket Stadium is more than just a ground – it’s the heartbeat of Rwandan cricket and a model of how sport can unite communities, nurture youth, and showcase a nation’s spirit on the world stage.
