QA Venue Solutions, the firm managing Amahoro Stadium, is consulting stakeholders across Rwanda’s sports sector to agree on a sustainable and affordable pricing model for use of the facility, following public debate and social media claims over rental costs. The company officially took over management of the 45,000-seater stadium in December 2025, after signing a management agreement with the government in May 2025. Progress has been made to finalize a rate card for the venue, amid growing enquiries from sports stakeholders and the public. ALSO READ: Kagame inaugurates new-look Amahoro Stadium Addressing journalists on Monday, January 19, Tokoloho Moeketsi, Commercial Director at QA Venue Solutions, said the stadium remains a public asset whose long-term sustainability depends on cooperation among all stakeholders. “We recognise that Amahoro Stadium is a public infrastructure. It is our shared responsibility to ensure the venue remains sustainable over a long period so that it continues to serve the community, federations, sports clubs and, most importantly, the fans,” Moeketsi said. He noted that the company is engaging partners across both the public and private sectors, including government institutions, sports federations and leagues, to strike a balance between commercial sustainability and affordability. ALSO READ: Fans celebrate return to refurbished Amahoro Stadium According to Moeketsi, discussions go beyond pricing and also focus on improving the overall matchday experience, including crowd management, incentives for early arrival and easing pressure on stadium systems during peak hours. “We want to avoid situations where everyone rushes in just before kickoff, which puts unnecessary strain on the system and reduces the fan experience. That’s why partnerships are key,” he explained. On the football side, Rwanda Premier League (RPL) Chief Executive Officer Jules Karangwa confirmed that leagues and clubs are actively involved in the consultations. “We have already held discussions and we are heading into a third round so that we can jointly assess the best approach that works for everyone,” Karangwa said. Karangwa acknowledged that the new stadium management model differs from what clubs were previously used to but said it should be viewed positively. “This is a model we are not used to, but I do not think it is a bad one. Using Amahoro Stadium comes with different standards and costs compared to other venues, and that mindset has to change,” he said. He added that unlike the previous system, where clubs shared ticket revenues after matches, the new model requires upfront payments to cover operational costs, reflecting the scale and standards of the facility. “It is not that the stadium is expensive. It is about the cost of managing it properly and ensuring it remains profitable and well maintained,” Karangwa said. When will the prices be made public? Although he didn’t specify when the rate card for the rent of Amahoro Stadium will be in place, John Ntigengwa, the Country Director of QA Venue Solutions, said determining a fixed base price for stadium use remains a work in progress, as the company is still in a trial phase. “We have been analysing matches with federations and clubs, looking at attendance, potential revenue and whether the fees can at least cover basic expenses,” Ntigengwa said. Early discussions have considered setting a venue rental fee ranging between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million, with the government expected to provide subsidies to help maintain affordability. Ntigengwa clarified that venue rental is only one component of the total cost, noting that expenses such as electricity, water, security and stewards vary depending on the size and nature of each event. The issue gained traction on social media in early January following claims that clubs could be paying more than Rwf100 million per match to use Amahoro Stadium, raising concerns about affordability. In response, the Ministry of Sports dismissed the claims, stating that the highest amount paid so far to rent the facility has not exceeded Rwf32 million. “Stadium fees vary depending on the nature of the event. Claims that the stadium is rented at Rwf100 million are not true,” the ministry said. Stakeholders say discussions are nearing conclusion, with outcomes expected to be communicated publicly in the coming days, as efforts continue to ensure Amahoro Stadium remains accessible, sustainable and beneficial to all.
