About this place

A Stadium with Deep Roots

Originally opened in 1935 as Roger-Lapergue Stadium, the venue was first home to AS Saint-Eugène, a colonial-era club made up mostly of European settlers (Pieds-Noirs). During the French colonial period, Algerian clubs like MC Alger were granted limited access, reflecting the social divisions of the time.

After Algeria’s independence in 1962, the stadium was renamed Stade de Bologhine, in line with the new name of the district. It later took on its current name in 1998, in honor of Omar Hamadi.

Evolution Through the Decades

In 1957, a third arched stand was added to modernize the stadium. The structure was severely damaged during the 1980 El-Asnam earthquake, forcing the closure of the upper tier. After years of disuse, it was finally demolished in 2003.

In 2000, the club added a new stand to increase capacity to around 30,500, although today’s operational capacity is closer to 15,000 due to safety considerations. USM Alger also invested in new player facilities including a gym, sauna, and a restaurant.

Who Was Omar Hamadi?

Omar Hamadi was a prominent figure in both Algerian football and national history. A former president of USM Alger, he was also a committed freedom fighter during Algeria’s war of independence. Sentenced to death by the French colonial regime, he survived the war but was tragically assassinated in 1995 along with his two sons by a terrorist group during Algeria’s “Black Decade.” In tribute to his sacrifice and leadership, the stadium was renamed in his honor in 1998.

A Unique Setting

The stadium’s location is breathtaking: to the north lies the Mediterranean Sea, to the south the Notre-Dame d’Afrique Basilica, with the neighborhoods of Bab El Oued and Raïs Hamidou flanking it to the east and west. This makes Omar Hamadi Stadium not only a football venue, but a place steeped in history and emotion — a site where football, memory, and identity intersect.