It has formally been announced that the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) will be hosting "Station Afrique" during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
ANOCA represents 54 National Olympic Committees in Africa and is spearheading a "fan zone entirely dedicated to African sport and culture" at Paris 2024, as noted by Anthony Lueres of Le Parisien.
What We Know: Location
Station Afrique will be located in L'Île-Saint-Denis, north of Paris, at Stade Robert César. The Robert César sports complex houses a football field, athletics track, tennis courts and other athletic community offerings.
During Paris 2024, L'Île-Saint-Denis will play an outsized role at the Summer Olympic Games, alongside Saint-Denis and Saint Ouen. Its typical 8,000 inhabitants will make way for over 14,250 athletes during the Olympic Games, and 8,000 during the Paralympic Games.
As of now, this makes Station Afrique the closest Hospitality House to the Athletes Village at Paris 2024. Further northwest than other Hospitality Houses, Station Afrique will be categorized into the "North East" cluster of Hospitality Houses in Paris.
What We Know: It's Public and Free
Station Afrique will be open to the public at Paris 2024, from Friday July 26 to August 11, 2024. This Hospitality House will typically be open from 2:00pm to 10:00pm, and extended to 12:00am on concert nights.
It also appears there will be a Paralympic celebration on Saturday September 7.
As noted on the Seine-Saint-Denis Tourisme website: "All entertainment will be free of charge, although some concerts will be ticketed." It has yet to be announced how tickets will be distributed.
What We Know: The Program is Exciting
As noted on the Entree to Black Paris blog, Station Afrique will be:
"... a 'one-stop-shop' for viewing the [Olympic] Games, meeting victorious African Olympic athletes, dining on African cuisine, attending concerts and exhibitions, and more. Île-Saint-Denis is partnering with Maison de l'Afrique to present various cultural activities that will offer 'complete immersion into African flavors and crafts' ... aiming to create a bridge between communities and celebrating diversity."
Fans who visit Station Afrique can expect to experience a entertainment main stage, relaxation area, sports activations, an "African village" which includes arts, culture and crafts, as well as Maison Dakar 2026.
The first African city to host an Olympic event, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics will be held in Senegal in 2026. By setting up shop at Station Afrique, Maison Dakar hopes to generate interest and excitement in Dakar 2026.
What We Know: Key Dates
Organizers have already announced key dates at Station Afrique:
Saturday July 20: Station Afrique opening ceremony
Friday July 26: Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony at Station Afrique
Daily: Various evening concerts highlighting African talent
Sunday August 11: Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony at Station Afrique
Saturday September 7: Paralympic celebration at Station Afrique
What We Know: Nearby Sport Events
The closest Paris 2024 sport events to Station Afrique will be:
Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics at La Chapelle Arena
Artistic Swimming, Diving and Water Polo at at Centre Aquatique Olympique
Athletics and Rugby at Stade de France
All of these venues are within 1 hour of Station Afrique on public transit.
Are you planning to visit Station Afrique?
0%Yes! I wouldn't miss it.
0%I haven't decided.
We'll continue to update the House Party Blog as more information about the incredible Station Afrique takes shape.