Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Description

Loftus Versfeld is a multipurpose stadium situated in the Sunnyside suburb of Pretoria, Gauteng. The stadium is a popular venue for local and international rugby matches and is the famous home of the Blue Bulls team. It has a capacity of 51,762 spectators and is occasionally used for local football matches as well as open-air concerts. In June 2010, the stadium hosted several games of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The site of the stadium was first used for sports in 1906, and the field was simply called the Eastern Sports Ground. The first concrete structure was erected by the City Council in 1923. It could only accommodate 2,000 spectators and did not have proper sports facilities. In 1928, mostly because of the All Blacks tour to South Africa, the Pretoria sub-union made a large profit which they used to erect changing rooms and toilets.

The stadium is named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized sports in Pretoria. When Mr Loftus Versfeld died suddenly in May 1932 the Pretoria sub-union renamed the Eastern Sports Ground after him as a tribute. Through the years the stadium has had various name changes as sponsors have come and gone, but locals have always referred to the stadium as “Loftus Versfeld”. Vodacom took over sponsorship in 2005, and on 1 September 2005 the decision was made to retain the original name of “Loftus Versfeld”, thereby returning the stadium to the team and its fans. It has been upgraded on several occasions, most recently in 1984, when the Northern Pavilion received a revamp.

"A" Field: The main playing field at Loftus Versfeld

Capacity

• approx. 20 000 standing
• Pavilion - 40 000
• Marquee - Depending on your requirements

Facilities

• Big sound
• Big screen
• Spectacular ambiance
• Tours to main Locker Room and Tunnel
• Nearby restrooms

"B", "C" and "D" Fields are adjacent to the South Pavilion or Momentum Stand and are ideal for car markets, fêtes, carnivals, and friendly matches.