Across the globe, the biggest names in music; Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, and others, have transitioned from indoor arenas to massive stadiums.
The reason is simple: their fan bases are massive, and stadiums provide the space to accommodate 60,000 or more fans at once, something most auditoriums can’t offer.
In cities like London, Madrid, or New York, stadium concerts are routine. These venues are purpose-built or upgraded to handle both football matches and large-scale concerts without major disruptions.
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The Ghanaian reality
In Ghana, the story is very different. Hosting non-sporting events at national stadiums comes with strict regulations that can limit attendance and the overall quality of production.
While it’s true that these stadiums were initially built for football, the global trend is clear: modern stadiums are now multipurpose.
From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to Wembley and the Santiago Bernabéu, international venues are increasingly designed or retrofitted to accommodate both sports and entertainment. These upgrades generate millions in additional revenue by opening doors to concerts, festivals, and even corporate events.
The dilemma of protecting the pitch
In Ghana, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has remained cautious, concerned about damage to the pitch during concerts.
The backlash after Stonebwoy’s BHIM Concert in December 2023 remains fresh.
The event, held at a fully packed Accra Sports Stadium, was a landmark in Stonebwoy’s career. Yet, it left the pitch badly damaged, with significant portions of the grass destroyed.
The sporting community expressed outrage, questioning whether short-term entertainment revenue was worth the long-term cost to football infrastructure.
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Sarkodie’s Baba Yara setback
Fast forward to September 27, 2025, when Sarkodie staged his Rapperholic concert at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the concert featured Shatta Wale, Medikal, Efya, Kofi Kinaata, the Asaaka Boys, Lasmid, and more.
However, just days before the event, on September 24, NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah announced on social media that Sarkodie would be restricted from using the pitch.
The statement sparked confusion, with many fans assuming the event had been canceled. In reality, Sarkodie was granted access to only a quarter of the stadium, with the condition that nothing touches the grass.
Despite heavy rain and logistical hurdles, the turnout was remarkable. Still, industry observers argue that if Sarkodie had been granted full use of the stadium, the event might have gone down as the biggest paid concert in Ghana’s history.
How the world does it
So, how do stadiums in other countries host major events without damaging their pitches?
The answer lies in innovation.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for example, features a retractable pitch, the first of its kind in the UK. The natural grass used for Premier League matches can be rolled back to reveal an artificial surface underneath, ideal for concerts and non-sporting events.
While that level of infrastructure may be out of reach for Ghana in the short term, more practical solutions exist.
Most international stadiums use pitch covering systems—temporary protective panels placed over the grass. These allow stages to be mounted and fans to stand on the pitch without harming the turf. It’s standard practice elsewhere but still missing in Ghana.
Why has Ghana delayed?
The pressing question remains: Why hasn’t Ghana adopted such systems?
A pitch cover is not a luxury, it’s a basic tool for balancing the needs of sports and entertainment.
With local football attendance in decline, stadium concerts offer a crucial revenue stream. Moreover, big-name artistes have the potential to draw international fans.
Imagine the buzz if Vybz Kartel, who has already expressed interest in performing in Ghana, headlined a packed show at the Accra Sports Stadium under the right conditions.
A ray of hope
There is some good news. On September 25, 2025, it was reported that the NSA had received two pitch cover panel samples for testing at the Accra Sports Stadium.
A technical team has been assigned to evaluate and approve one for purchase. If successful, this could mark a major turning point for live entertainment in Ghana.
Soon, local artistes may no longer have to choose between staging world-class concerts and preserving football pitches. The two can, and should, coexist.
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AK/EB
