FIFA World Cup 2010. Free State Stadium

Mangaung/Bloemfontein will be hosting teams at the Free State Stadium, which currently seats approximately 38,000 people. The stadium derives its name from the province in which it is located.

The stadium played host to group and quarter-final matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and the IRB Rugby World Cup in 1995. It is also the alternate home ground of Premier Soccer League team, Bloemfontein Celtics.

The stadium will be undergoing a costly upgrade and once completed, will have a gross seating capacity of 48,000. The stadium will be used as a venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

A second tier is being added to the western pavilion, which will increase the stadium’s gross capacity from approximately 38,000 to 45,000. Additionally, new turnstiles will be erected, the floodlights will be upgraded, electronic scoreboards will be installed, the sound system will be revamped to the required standards, CCTV and the media facilities will be improved.

Bloemfontein is to receive 221 million to upgrade the stadium. Though cost estimates are at 245 million, the city has decided to stand in for the 24m shortfall. Tenders were advertised in February & March 2007 and were expected to be awarded in May. Upgrade work started in July 2007 and is scheduled for completion by September 2008