The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has formally opened the public tender process for Phase One of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium, a release from the federation indicated Wednesday.
According to the GFF, the opening of the tender “marks a defining milestone in the Federation’s drive to transform football infrastructure in Guyana and establish a modern national venue capable of hosting international football at the highest level.”
The GFF went on to share in the missive, “The commencement of the tender follows an extensive and highly collaborative planning and technical review process involving the GFF, FIFA, Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the project’s engineering consultants, undertaken to ensure that the stadium design and functionality are aligned with the applicable international standards and requirements for international football.”
The process has now received positive technical confirmation from both FIFA and CONCACAF. In a letter dated August 21, 2026, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov acknowledged the GFF’s collaborative approach in developing its stadium infrastructure, specifically noting the Federation’s efforts in sharing stadium designs and facilitating input from FIFA’s infrastructure experts.
“The designs were completed in compliance with the applicable standards for stadiums intended to host international matches and were reviewed with reference to the CONCACAF Stadium Guidelines 2026–2027.”
FIFA further acknowledged the GFF’s efforts “to develop football infrastructure and expand the availability of facilities for football activities in Guyana” and confirmed its continued availability to provide support within the framework of FIFA’s development programmes and regulations.
CONCACAF has provided an even more specific assessment of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium. In a letter dated August 10, 2026, CONCACAF Chief Football Competitions Officer Carlos Fernández confirmed:
“Following our own technical review of the proposed stadium design, together with subsequent consultations and engagements with representatives of the Guyana Football Federation and the project’s engineering consultants, CONCACAF is satisfied that the proposed Blue Water Shipping Stadium has been designed to meet the hosting and operational requirements for CONCACAF Nations League A matches.”
The confirmation is subject to the project being constructed in accordance with the approved design specifications and applicable technical standards discussed with CONCACAF. CONCACAF also described the project as “a significant investment in the future of football in Guyana”, commending the GFF for its “vision and leadership” and confirming its commitment to providing technical guidance, oversight and support throughout implementation and beyond.
The opening of the public tender represents the transition of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium from planning and technical validation into physical implementation. S&PM (Surveying & Project Management Inc) has been contracted by the GFF to manage the public tender process. The tender is expected to remain open for approximately six to eight weeks, with construction expected to commence immediately following the conclusion of the procurement and contracting process.
Phase One of the project will comprise general site development, two FIFA Arena mini-pitches, spectator bleachers for both mini-pitches, mini-pitch floodlighting, male and female dressing rooms and washroom facilities, a security station, perimeter fencing, bridge and culvert infrastructure, and the main entrance and associated access works.
The GFF is committed to conducting the procurement process in a manner that promotes transparency, competitiveness, accountability and value for money, consistent with the significance of the investment and the Federation’s responsibility to Guyanese football and its stakeholders. The Blue Water Shipping Stadium is a ground-breaking infrastructure project being undertaken by the Guyana Football Federation in partnership with Blue Water Shipping Guyana.
Richard DeNobrega, Sr, Vice President of Sales & Development, said, “This marks yet another step towards progressing the realisation of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium in Guyana. Congratulations to the GFF on securing positive feedback from both FIFA and CONCACAF. We look forward to seeing this project move ahead and are excited for the benefits it will bring for football in Guyana. Blue Water Shipping continues to witness, along with the rest of Guyana, the solid strides forward the GFF continues to make in nurturing young Guyanese talent. Strong performances at the Female U14 CFU tournament in 2025 and the most recent championship title at the Male U14 CFU tournament are testament to the efforts and bode well for the promising future of Guyanese football. The Blue Water Shipping stadium will enhance the football infrastructure locally and enable even further development of the sport.
When fully completed, the stadium is designed to accommodate approximately 10,400 spectators, providing Guyana with a modern venue capable of hosting international football and major domestic competitions, while also being designed to accommodate concerts and other public events as part of its long-term sustainability model.
The project is being developed on approximately 7.3 acres of land granted to the GFF by the Government of Guyana on a 50-year lease. The GFF expresses its appreciation to the Government of Guyana for this important contribution to the development of national sporting infrastructure and looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Government, FIFA, CONCACAF, the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), Blue Water Shipping Guyana and other partners and stakeholders to deliver the project successfully.
For the GFF, the significance of the project extends well beyond the construction of the main stadium.
The two FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches included in Phase One will provide accessible, high-quality spaces for young people and communities while supporting the delivery of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme, grassroots football and the GFF’s recently introduced Youth Ensemble Programme.
The facility will therefore form part of a broader football ecosystem designed to connect grassroots participation, youth development, education, community football, elite competition and national team development. This approach reflects the Federation’s wider football-first philosophy: investing not only in facilities for today’s players but also creating sustainable pathways for the next generation.
GFF President Wayne Forde described the opening of the tender as a defining moment in the Federation’s long-term vision for Guyanese football.
“Our philosophy has always been simple: football must come first, and football must be accessible to every Guyanese child. 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.
This project represents our belief that talent exists everywhere in Guyana, but opportunity must be created everywhere as well. By investing in modern facilities, from the FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches to a stadium capable of hosting international football, we are creating a more equitable football landscape and building a stronger pathway from the community to the national team.
We want Guyana to be respected not only for the talent of our players but also for the quality of the environment we create around them. This is how we strengthen our football, raise our standards, empower our youth and improve Guyana’s standing within the CONCACAF region. The Blue Water Shipping Stadium is therefore much more than a construction project. It is an investment in people, an investment in football and an investment in Guyana’s future.”
The GFF believes the Blue Water Shipping Stadium will become an important national asset and a lasting legacy for Guyanese football. The international technical engagement undertaken during the design phase reflects the Federation’s commitment to standards, accountability and collaboration. FIFA has acknowledged GFF’s collaborative approach and the involvement of its infrastructure experts, while CONCACAF has independently reviewed the proposed design and confirmed its suitability for the operational requirements of CONCACAF Nations League A matches.
With the public tender now officially underway, the GFF is ready to move from vision to construction and from planning to delivery. The Federation looks forward to working with the Government of Guyana, FIFA, CONCACAF, CFU, Blue Water Shipping Guyana, contractors, technical professionals and other stakeholders to deliver a facility that will serve Guyanese footballers, communities and supporters for generations to come.”
Tender Information
Interested contractors may access the tender information and bidding documents on the official GFF website. Tender documents may also be collected directly from the head office of S&PM, which has been appointed by the GFF to manage the public tender process.
Further details regarding the tender process, submission requirements and deadlines are provided in the tender documentation.
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