The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has formally opened the public tender process for Phase 1 of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium, marking a milestone in efforts to transform football infrastructure and establish a modern national venue capable of hosting international football.
The tender follows an extensive planning and technical review process involving the GFF, FIFA, Concacaf and the project’s engineering consultants, aimed at ensuring the stadium design meets international standards.
Both FIFA and Concacaf have given positive technical confirmation. In a letter dated August 21, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov acknowledged the GFF’s collaborative approach in developing its stadium infrastructure, noting the designs were reviewed with reference to the Concacaf Stadium Guidelines 2026–2027.
Concacaf, in a letter dated August 10, said it was satisfied the proposed stadium had been designed to meet the hosting and operational requirements for Concacaf Nations League A matches, describing the project as a significant investment in Guyanese football and commending the GFF’s “vision and leadership.”
S&PM (Surveying & Project Management Inc) has been contracted to manage the tender process, which is expected to remain open for six to eight weeks, with construction to begin once procurement concludes.
Phase 1 comprises general site development, two FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches with spectator bleachers and floodlighting, dressing rooms and washroom facilities, a security station, perimeter fencing, bridge and culvert infrastructure, and main entrance works.
Richard DeNobrega, Sr Vice President Sales and Development at Blue Water Shipping, welcomed the positive feedback from FIFA and Concacaf, pointing to recent GFF youth successes, including the Female U14 CFU tournament in 2025 and the Male U14 CFU Championship title, as evidence of the federation’s progress in nurturing young talent.
Once completed, the stadium will accommodate about 10,400 spectators and is designed to host international football, major domestic competitions and concerts and other public events. It is being built on roughly 7.3 acres granted to the GFF by the Government on a 50-year lease.
GFF President Wayne Forde described the tender opening as a defining moment for the federation’s long-term vision.
“We are not building this stadium simply to have a bigger venue; we are building infrastructure that creates opportunities, removes barriers and gives our young people a place to dream, develop and compete,” Forde said, adding that the project reflects the federation’s belief that talent exists everywhere in Guyana but opportunity must be created to match it.
The Mini-Pitches will support the FIFA Football for Schools programme, grassroots football and the GFF’s Youth Ensemble Programme, forming part of a wider football ecosystem linking grassroots participation to elite and national team development.
The GFF said it looks forward to continuing work with the Government, FIFA, Concacaf, the Caribbean Football Union, Blue Water Shipping Guyana and other stakeholders to deliver the project.
