The 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG 2026) in Dakar will mark a historic milestone: it will be the first time an Olympic event will be held in Africa. Through this project, Senegal aims not only to successfully host a major global sporting event, but also to build a lasting legacy for African youth and its sports infrastructure.
The heart of the project is based on three main poles:
- Diamniadio, a new city located 30 km from Dakar, hosts the majority of the infrastructure. The Olympic Stadium (Stade Abdoulaye Wade), already inaugurated in 2022, will be the main venue for the YOG. With a capacity of 50,000, it is designed to host international football and athletics competitions. The stadium features hybrid turf, World Athletics-certified tracks, VIP areas, covered stands, and digital technology for giant screens and 5G connectivity.
- The Dakar sports complexwill undergo a complete renovation: renovation of the Iba Mar Diop Stadium, modernization of the infrastructure of the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium to make it a training space, and creation of new halls for indoor sports (basketball, handball, judo).
- The Saly pole, a renowned seaside resort, will see the construction of a nautical complex and a base for beach sports. An Olympic village will also be established in the area, designed as an eco-responsible project with housing that can be converted into student residences.
On the logistical level, the YOG accelerate structuring projects:
- Improving road connectionsbetween Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly with new expressways and bridges designed to ease traffic flow.
- Commissioning and extension of the Regional Express Train (TER), which will connect the center of Dakar to Diamniadio and the new Blaise-Diagne airport.
- Expansion of international airport capacity, in order to manage the influx of delegations, supporters and media.
In terms of accommodation, the project includes the construction of new hotels, the development of temporary residences and partnerships with local stakeholders to welcome visitors.
The 2026 YOG place sustainability at the heart of their vision: renewable energy to power venues, waste management, clean mobility, and the use of infrastructure to support Senegalese sport after the Games.
Thus, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games are a catalyst for modernization for Senegal, offering a unique opportunity to provide the country with sustainable sports and logistical infrastructure and to promote its image on the international scene.
