Free State Stadium Explained

Stadium Name:Toyota Stadium
Fullname:Toyota Stadium
Location:Kings Way, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Coordinates:-29.1172°N 26.2089°W
Built:1955[1]
Renovated:1995
Expanded:2009
Operator:Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
Surface:Ryegrass[2]
Former Names:Vodacom Park
Tenants:Cheetahs
Free State Cheetahs
Bloemfontein Celtic
Seating Capacity:46,000[3]
Dimensions:100x
Scoreboard:yes
Publictransit:Bloemfontein railway station
Suites:100[4]

The Free State Stadium (Afrikaans: Vrystaatstadion), currently known as the Toyota Stadium for sponsorship reasons and formerly known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein in the Free State of South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and also sometimes for association football. It was originally built for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and was one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The primary rugby union tenants of the facility are the Free State Cheetahs, which participate in South Africa's domestic competition, the Currie Cup. Previously, the Cheetahs represented the Free State and Northern Cape provinces in the international Pro14 competition.

Until their sale before the start of the 2021–22 South African Premier Division, the primary association football tenant was Bloemfontein Celtic, who played in South Africa's domestic Premier Soccer League.

Notable matches

1995 Rugby World Cup

The stadium was one of the host venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It hosted first-round matches in Pool C during the tournament.

DateTeam #1Res.Team #2RoundAttendance
27 May 199510–57Group C12,000
31 May 199550–2815,000
4 June 1995117–14517,000

1996 African Cup of Nations

The Free State Stadium was one of venues used for the 1996 African Cup of Nations. It hosted six group matches and a quarter-final match:

DateTime (SAST)Team #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance
14 January 19960–0Group B9,000
15 January 19962–11,500
18 January 19962–01,500
20 January 19965–12,000
24 January 19964–0200
25 January 19962–0Group D3,500
27 January 19963–1Quarter-finals8,500

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup

The Free State Stadium was one of the host venues for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

DateTime (SAST)Team #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance
15 June 200916:004–3Group B27,851
17 June 200916:001–0Group A30,512
20 June 200920:302–038,212
24 June 20090–2Semi-finals35,369

2010 FIFA World Cup

Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a second tier was added to the main grandstand on the western side of the ground, increasing the net capacity from 36,538[5] to 40,911. Additionally, new turnstiles were created, the floodlights upgraded, electronic scoreboards installed, the sound system revamped to the required standards, and CCTV and media facilities improved.

Bloemfontein received R221 million to upgrade the stadium. Though cost estimates were at R245 million, the city decided to stand in for the R24m shortfall.[6] Tenders were advertised in February and March 2007. Upgrade work started in July 2007.[7]

DateTime (SAST)Team #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance
14 June 201016.001–0Group E30,620
17 June 201016.002–1Group B31,593
20 June 201013.300–2Group F26,643
22 June 201016.001–2Group A39,415
25 June 201020.300–0Group H28,042
27 June 201016.004–1Round of 1640,510

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stadium | Toyota Cheetahs.
  2. Web site: Stadium | Toyota Cheetahs.
  3. Web site: Stadium | Toyota Cheetahs.
  4. Web site: Stadium | Toyota Cheetahs.
  5. Web site: fussballtemple . Fussballtempel.net . 2010-06-17.
  6. Web site: Sunday Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20191214011342/http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/SpecialReports/2010WorldCup/Article.aspx?id=361806 . dead . 2019-12-14 . Sunday Times . 2010-06-17 .
  7. Web site: Official upgrade progress report as at May 2008 . 2010-06-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110727102033/http://www.bloemfontein.co.za/docs/Free%20State%20stadium%20progress%20report_May08.pdf . 2011-07-27 .