The Kigali Basketball Arena is a multi-purpose indoor facility located in the heart of Kigali City, Rwanda, East Africa. Also known as BK Arena, it is a popular venue for basketball and volleyball matches, making it a favorite spot for sports-loving visitors in Rwanda.
The impressive BK Arena was built and completed in 2019 and now hosts various sports events and concerts.
The BK Arena is the largest indoor arena in East Africa and is located near Amahoro Stadium. It hosts major games in the Rwanda Basketball League.
The arena was constructed by SUMMA, a Turkish international contractor, and was renamed BK Arena.
The first-ever Basketball Africa League was held at BK Arena from 16th to 30th May 2021, thanks to the efforts of various stakeholders.
Through partnerships, Rwanda has positioned itself as a top destination for tourism, investment, sports, and sports-based tourism.
Visit Rwanda and the Africa Basketball League have also collaborated on several basketball and youth development programs.
Another notable basketball event held at the arena was the Basketball Africa League in May 2022.
This tournament brought together 12 teams from across the African continent, including teams from Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal, Mali, and Algeria.
In addition to basketball, the BK Arena has hosted significant events such as the 2021 Africa Nations Volleyball Championship.
Activities at the BK Arena
The main activities at the arena include:
- Hosting cultural events such as exhibitions and concerts.
- Sports activities, including basketball, tennis, futsal, boxing, and volleyball.
- Organizing international, regional, and local sports competitions.
Location of the Kigali Basketball Arena
The Kigali Basketball Arena is located in Kigali and is the largest indoor stadium in East Africa. It has a seating capacity of up to 10,000 guests and is a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting up to 26 matches at a time.
The arena features 13 cafeterias and restaurants, 6 changing rooms, 2 rooms for coaching staff, a media hall, a fitness center, a doping control room, and other facilities. It is situated near Amahoro Stadium, which has a capacity of 30,000 people, although its indoor section accommodates only 2,500 guests.
Amahoro Stadium
Amahoro Stadium, also called “Peace Stadium,” is another multi-purpose facility in Rwanda. It is located in Gasabo District, Kigali, and is home to football clubs Armee Patriotique Rwandaise F.C. and Rayon Sports F.C.
The stadium hosts concerts, football matches, public events, and rugby games. Visitors can combine sports tourism with other activities like gorilla trekking, wildlife tours, chimpanzee tracking, and cultural tours during their vacation in Rwanda.
Basketball in Rwanda
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Rwanda, second only to football. It is the most watched indoor sport in the country. Basketball activities nationwide are managed by the Rwanda Basketball Federation.
