Nigeria has four entries among the five biggest church auditoriums in a reported global ranking. The country has attracted attention following Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s construction of the 120,000-seat Hand of God Cathedral in Rivers State.
The massive building adds to Nigeria’s growing list of churches with enormous worship centres.
For instance, Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church has also embarked on a project to build a 109,345-seat auditorium in Ogun State. Meanwhile, Dunamis International Gospel Centre already operates the 100,000-seat Glory Dome in Abuja.
Here are five of the world’s biggest church auditoriums based on their reported seating capacities.
1. Hand of God Cathedral, Nigeria – 120,000 seats
Pastor David Ibiyeomie founded Salvation Ministries, which owns the Hand of God Cathedral.
The massive building stands in Igwuruta, Rivers State. It reportedly accommodates 120,000 worshippers.
Its architectural design features a central dome and five wings. Together, these structures resemble an open hand.
In addition, the eight-floor building reportedly contains about 400 toilets. It also provides parking space for 350 vehicles.
Ibiyeomie scheduled the cathedral’s dedication for Friday, November 6, 2026. Its reported capacity places it ahead of several other major church auditoriums.
2. The Ark, Nigeria – 109,345 seats
Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, is developing another massive worship centre.
The project, called The Ark, stands within Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
The proposed auditorium will accommodate 109,345 worshippers. Consequently, it could become one of the world’s largest church buildings by seating capacity.
However, the project is different from an operational auditorium. The church’s existing Faith Tabernacle currently accommodates about 50,000 worshippers.
3. Glory Dome, Nigeria – 100,000 seats
Dr Paul Enenche founded Dunamis International Gospel Centre, which owns the Glory Dome in Abuja.
The church dedicated the massive auditorium in November 2018. It has a reported seating capacity of 100,000 people.
Since its opening, the building has hosted major church programmes and large worship gatherings.
Furthermore, its capacity places it among the largest completed church auditoriums in the world.
4. Champions Royal Assembly, Nigeria – 80,000 seats
Prophet Joshua Iginla founded Champions Royal Assembly, another Nigerian church with a massive worship centre.
Its City of Wonders auditorium in Abuja reportedly accommodates 80,000 worshippers.
The facility further highlights Nigeria’s presence in the construction of large religious buildings.
5. Temple of the Glory of God, Brazil – 60,000 seats
Brazil also features in the reported ranking through the Temple of the Glory of God in São Paulo.
The building belongs to God Is Love Pentecostal Church and reportedly accommodates 60,000 worshippers.
Unlike the other four entries, this worship centre sits outside Nigeria.
Nigeria’s growing megachurch infrastructure
Four Nigerian churches feature in the reported top five. This places the country at the centre of conversations about large-scale church construction.
However, seating capacity alone does not determine a church’s membership or influence.
The projects also have different completion statuses. While the Glory Dome already hosts worshippers, The Ark remains a development project.
Nevertheless, their reported capacities show the scale of investment Nigerian churches continue to make in religious infrastructure.