Freshwater Stadium
OwnerVanuatu Football Federation
Capacity6,500
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Construction costUSD4.5 million[1]
Structural engineerQualao Consulting
Tenants
Vanuatu national football team (select matches)

The Freshwater Stadium is an association football stadium in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. The stadium has a seating capacity of 6,500.[2]

History

In 2018 it was announced that FIFA would be financing a new football stadium in Vanuatu for the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF). By February 2020, the first round of funds was used to level the site and run utilities while the second stage was to install fencing. Initial engineering work was completed by local firm Qualao Consulting.[3] The handing-over of the completed stadium took place in May 2022. The following month, matches of the South Efaté League, a second-tier league in the country, began at the stadium and would continue to be held at the venue moving forward.[4] The stadium is the first in the country to be accessible to people with reduced mobility. It also produces its own solar energy and features a water recirculation system that ensures that pitch can remain healthy during drier seasons. Despite its construction during the COVID-19 pandemic and the affects of two cyclones in the country, the stadium was completed fully by local companies and under-budget.[5] The total cost to construct the stadium was Vt400 million.[6]

Events

In addition to hosting second-tier matches, the stadium is also used for matches of the VFF Champions League[7] and the local Feshwater Youth League.[5]

The stadium hosted the 2023 OFC Champions League, marking the first time that Vanuatu hosted a major OFC football tournament. The stadium was the competition's primary venue with the Korman Stadium reserved as a backup.[8] In August 2023, the stadium hosted a legends match which was attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his tour around Oceania.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Infantino jets into Vanuatu and Fiji, unveils a 'Pele pitch' and gets a Legends game in". Inside World Football. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Kemp, Emma. "Exciting yet invisible, Sydney sell-off leaves grand final flat". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "New Stadium to be Constructed Soon in Vanuatu". Loop Vanuatu. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Natoga, Anasilini. "Freswota stadium to open in May". The Vanuatu Post. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  5. 1 2 "FIFA Secretary General visits Vanuatu to discuss football's transformative power". FIFA. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  6. ↑ Bule, G. "Freshwater Stadium costs FIFA Vt400 million". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Rain Forces Postponement of VFF Champions League 2023 Finals". Loop Vanuatu. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "Vanuatu hosting 2023 OFC Champions League brings cheer to cyclone-ravaged nation". FIFA. Retrieved 29 September 2023.

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