Jameson Distillery will open in Port Harcourt for the first time on 1 October 2026, taking over Yakubu Gowon Stadium for a three-day run over Nigeria's Independence Weekend.
The event, which runs until 3 October, brings the whiskey brand's traveling experience to the Garden City after years of editions in Lagos and Abuja. Organizers describe the program as a mix of live music, whiskey education, gourmet junk food, games and creative showcases, with the stated aim of pairing Jameson's Irish heritage with local culture.
The Port Harcourt edition is the latest stop for an experience that has drawn thousands of attendees in other Nigerian cities. The programming is built around discovery sessions that walk guests through the story and craftsmanship behind the whiskey, alongside entertainment and food stalls. Organizers say the weekend is designed for both whiskey drinkers and those simply looking for something to do over the holiday.
Evane Chenuet, Marketing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, confirmed the plans in a statement.
"We are excited to bring Jameson Distillery to Port Harcourt for the first time," Chenuet said. "Over the years, we have seen how impactful shared experiences can be in bringing communities together, and we are looking forward to creating those moments here. From Irish whiskey discovery and food experiences to live entertainment and games, we've designed an experience that captures the spirit of Jameson while celebrating the energy that makes Port Harcourt special."
The choice of Yakubu Gowon Stadium places the event at a venue with a long history of hosting large public gatherings in the city. The stadium, named after Nigeria's former head of state, has been a fixture for sports and entertainment events in Rivers State for decades.
Jameson has spent recent years building a presence in Nigeria through events that tie the brand to music and youth culture. The Lagos and Abuja editions of the distillery experience have become regular fixtures on the social calendar, with attendees lining up for the combination of drinks, performances and interactive installations. The move to Port Harcourt signals an expansion beyond the country's two biggest cities.
Registration for the event is already open. Attendees can secure their spots through the official Jameson Distillery Port Harcourt sign-up page.
The full lineup has not been announced. Organizers said performance schedules, collaborations and special experiences will be revealed in the weeks before the event.
The event runs under the brand's Nigerian campaign tags, including #JamesonNGR and #MustBeAJameson, with updates promised across @JamesonNGR on social media platforms.
For a city that has seen a resurgence in live events and creative industries in recent years, the arrival of a branded experience of this scale adds another option for the Independence Weekend crowd. The three-day format gives visitors time to move between the whiskey sessions and the entertainment stages without rushing.
Whether the Port Harcourt edition becomes an annual stop like its Lagos and Abuja counterparts remains to be seen, but the dates are locked in and the registration page is live. The stadium will open its gates on 1 October.
According to Pulse.ng.
