Orlando Stadium at night during a Buccaneers home fixture, main stand lit with black and white supporters in view
Club · Historic Johannesburg, South Africa

Orlando Stadium

Capacity 40,000
Built 1959

info Stadium Snapshot

  • Address Dube, Soweto, Johannesburg
  • Capacity 40,000
  • Surface Natural grass
  • Built 1959
  • Renovated 2008 (full rebuild, R280m)
  • Record attendance 37,139 (post-rebuild reopening)
  • Architect Boogertman + Partners
  • Owner City of Johannesburg
location_on

Johannesburg, South Africa

Mooki Street, Dube, Soweto, Johannesburg 1801

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Section Guide

Find Your Best View

PITCH HOME END MAIN FAMILY AWAY
Orlando Stadium bowl

Home End (North — Buccaneers Ultras)

Orlando Pirates supporters' block. Drums, flags, skull-and-crossbones bandanas. Behind the north goal. Loudest section in the ground.

Price Range R60–180 (PSL) · R120–350 (derby)

Main Stand (Covered, East)

TV-camera side, covered, cushioned seats. VIP sections adjacent. Best view of play.

Price Range R250–900 · VIP from R1,800

Family Block (West Stand)

Mixed crowd, no-flares policy, family-friendly. Partially covered.

Price Range R100–250

Away End (South)

Segregation zone for travelling supporters. Separate entry via south gate, separate concessions, police escort on derby days.

Price Range R60–200

How to get there

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By car

20–40 min from Sandton and central Johannesburg

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Typical Fare

Indicative pricing

Est. cost Uber from Sandton: R200–350

Orlando Stadium sits on Mooki Street in Dube, Soweto, 3 km north-east of Vilakazi Street. From Sandton the drive takes 30 minutes off-peak and 40–55 minutes on Orlando Pirates match-days via the M1 and Soweto Highway. From the Johannesburg CBD the drive is 20–35 minutes.

  • arrow_right On-site parking for roughly 2,800 cars; fills 2 hours before kickoff
  • arrow_right Overflow parking at Orlando East and the Mooki Street spill-off
  • arrow_right Arrive 2 hours before kickoff for Soweto Derby — Mooki Street closes to non-ticketed traffic 90 min pre-match
  • arrow_right Uber, Bolt, and inDrive all run heavy Soweto match-day coverage
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By taxi / ride-hail

Uber, Bolt, or inDrive from anywhere in Johannesburg

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Typical Fare

Indicative pricing

Est. cost Bolt from Rosebank: R160–280

All three ride-hail apps run reliable coverage into Dube on match-day. Drop-off is on Mooki Street at the main gate; post-match pickup uses the same point but clearance can take 30 minutes. Minibus taxis also run from Bara Taxi Rank for R15 per seat.

  • arrow_right Card, cash, and SnapScan all work with Johannesburg drivers
  • arrow_right Match-day surge on Uber hits 2.0x for Soweto Derby
  • arrow_right Book return before kickoff on derby days — post-match availability drops
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By Rea Vaya / minibus

Rea Vaya BRT plus minibus from Soweto ranks

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Typical Fare

Indicative pricing

Est. cost Rea Vaya + minibus: R35–60

The Rea Vaya BRT runs from central Johannesburg to Soweto with a stop at Thokoza Park, a short minibus hop from Orlando Stadium. Minibus taxis from Bara Taxi Rank go directly to the stadium for R15–25 per seat. Metrorail Orlando Station is 1.5 km away.

  • arrow_right Rea Vaya Thokoza Park stop: minibus to stadium for R10–15
  • arrow_right Metrorail Orlando Station: 1.5 km walk or minibus connection
flight

From the airport

35 km · 40–55 minutes via N12 and N1

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OR Tambo International Airport is 35 km north-east of Orlando Stadium. The drive runs 40 minutes off-peak and 55 minutes in rush hour via the N12 and N1. Gautrain runs from the airport to Park Station in 30 minutes; transfer to Rea Vaya BRT or ride-hail from there.

  • arrow_right Pre-book a hotel pickup for match-day morning arrivals
  • arrow_right Airport → Orlando: Uber R480–720 · metered taxi R650–950 · Gautrain + Rea Vaya R180–220

Where to buy tickets

verified Official

Computicket + Orlando Pirates FC

PSL tickets for Orlando Pirates sell through Computicket and the official orlandopiratesfc.com store. Soweto Derby tickets go via Ticketmaster SA. Pre-season friendlies and cup fixtures typically land on Computicket.

Check current fixtures open_in_new
handshake Trusted resellers

Whitelisted secondary market

When the official portal sells out, these are the only resellers we recommend.

Typical price ranges
PSL league (Pirates home)
R60–250
Soweto Derby (at Orlando)
R120–500
Nedbank Cup knockout
R100–400
MTN8 or Carling Cup
R120–450
CAF Confederation Cup
R150–600
warning
Do not buy printed tickets from sellers on Mooki Street on match-day. Fakes circulate for Soweto Derby and Nedbank Cup fixtures. Buy through Computicket, Ticketmaster SA, or the Orlando Pirates official store.

Match-Day Timeline

−2.5h

Gates open

Early arrival recommended for Soweto Derby. Mooki Street closes to non-ticketed traffic from −90 min.

Kickoff −2.5h
−2h

Warm-up begins

Concessions open; full food service from −1h. Traditional township fare at Dube-facing concessions.

−2h
−90m

Team arrival

Tunnel view from the Main Stand forecourt; Pirates fans line the players' entry

−90 min
−30m

Pre-match show

Big-screen highlights, Buccaneers chants peak in the north end

−30 min
Kickoff

Match begins

Kickoff
HT

Half-time concessions

Queues peak 45–55 min

HT
FT +20m

Staggered exit

Home blocks released first, away fans held 30 min; Mooki Street reopens 45 min post-match

FT +20 min
backpack
Bag policy
Small bags only. Large bags refused at the gate. No on-site cloakroom.
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Cashless pref.
Concessions accept cash, card, SnapScan, and Zapper. QR lines are usually fastest.
no_food
Outside food
No outside food or drink. Sealed water bottles up to 500ml permitted from main entry.
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Safety & fan tips

Orlando Stadium operates under the post-Ellis Park safety framework that reshaped every PSL venue after the 2001 disaster, when 43 fans died in a crush at a Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates match at Ellis Park a few kilometres north. That inquiry produced the mandatory phased-entry, ticket-hologram, closed-circuit crowd-monitoring, and overselling-ban rules that Orlando Stadium was rebuilt to meet in 2008. SAPS and private stewards cover every gate on match-day; permanent medical bays sit at each of the four stand corners. The highest-risk periods are the turnstile crush 90 minutes before Soweto Derby kickoff and the Mooki Street exit at full time, where pickpockets target fans distracted by the post-match crowd.

  • security Body and bag search at every gate. Zone capacity is enforced by turnstile count — if your gate is paused, walk to an alternative gate in the same zone.
  • payments Keep cash and phone split across two pockets. Pickpockets work the Mooki Street queue and the post-match minibus rank.
  • warning Do not wear Kaizer Chiefs gold in the Buccaneers end. Soweto Derby segregation is enforced by SAPS.
  • medical_services Medi-Response and ER24 on-site at every PSL and derby fixture. Permanent medical bays at each stand corner.
  • do_not_disturb Follow steward directions at full time. Staggered exits are mandatory under the post-Ellis Park framework.
Stadium medical (ER24) 084-124
SAPS (Orlando) 10111
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Accessibility

  • accessible Wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms at the east and west stands, total capacity 180
  • elevator Elevator to Main Stand VIP — accessible entry from VIP gate
  • hearing Hearing loop active in Main Stand VIP; request at VIP gate
  • local_parking Accessible parking at the east car park Bays 1–18 — reserved, book via Computicket or SMSA
  • family_restroom Accessible washrooms at every concourse stairwell
  • volunteer_activism Companion ticket free — apply to Stadium Management South Africa 7+ days in advance with medical documentation

Where to stay and eat nearby

hotel

Hotels — Soweto and Rosebank

hotel
Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square
directions_walk4 km · 10 min drive · R₵₵₵

Four-star in Kliptown on the Freedom Charter site. Popular with visiting supporters and tour groups for Soweto Derby.

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hotel
Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank
directions_walk22 km · 30 min drive · R₵₵₵₵

Four-star design hotel at Rosebank with direct Gautrain link. Good for visitors without a car.

Book on Radissonopen_in_new
hotel
Protea Hotel Parktonian All-Suite
directions_walk15 km · 25 min drive · R₵₵₵

All-suite mid-range hotel in Braamfontein. Reliable pick for a one-night match-day stay.

Book on Marriottopen_in_new
sports_bar

Pre-match bars

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Sakhumzi Restaurant — Vilakazi Street
directions_walk3 km · R₵₵

Soweto township-tourism institution on Vilakazi Street. Traditional food, live music, busy on derby days.

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Nambitha Restaurant — Vilakazi Street
directions_walk3 km · R₵₵

Pan-African cuisine, outdoor seating, Pirates and Chiefs flags on match-days.

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Soweto Theatre Precinct — Jabulani
directions_walk6 km · R₵₵

Soweto nightlife cluster with sports bars, Afrobeats, and street food. Classic Pirates pre-match stop.

restaurant

Post-match food

restaurant
Wandie's Place — Dube
directions_walk1.5 km · R₵₵

Legendary Soweto restaurant, walking distance from Orlando. Traditional pap and stew; long-time Pirates hangout.

restaurant
Chaf Pozi — Orlando Towers
directions_walk2 km · R₵₵

Under the Orlando cooling towers. Shisa nyama, live music, busy post-match.

restaurant
Marble — Rosebank
directions_walk22 km · R₵₵₵₵

Rooftop fine dining with grill focus. Late kitchen on match-nights.

history_edu

Historical Significance

Orlando Stadium opened in 1959 in Dube, Soweto — the year Orlando Pirates, founded 1937, formally moved its home fixtures to the new ground. For almost five decades the original bowl was the spiritual home of Soweto football, hosting countless derby fixtures, protest rallies during the apartheid era, and some of the defining matches of South African township sport. The ground was demolished in 2006 and rebuilt from scratch at a reported cost of R280 million, reopening in 2008 with Boogertman + Partners as lead architect. The new bowl holds 40,000 and was designed to FIFA safety standards as the 2010 World Cup preparation work reshaped every major Johannesburg venue. In 2025 the stadium took on the Orlando Amstel Arena branding under a long-term sponsorship with Amstel; the City of Johannesburg remains the owner and Stadium Management South Africa runs the operations alongside the Orlando Pirates tenancy.

Built

1959

Renovated

2008

Surface

Natural grass

Record

37,139

Notable matches

13 Oct 1959
Orlando Pirates vs Transvaal United

First competitive fixture at the new Orlando Stadium. Pirates formally adopted the ground as their home.

22 Oct 2008
Orlando Pirates 1–1 Moroka Swallows
1–1

First competitive fixture at the rebuilt Orlando. Full house of 37,139 — the post-rebuild record attendance.

06 May 2011
Orlando Pirates 1–1 Kaizer Chiefs
1–1

Soweto Derby. Title-deciding PSL match; Pirates went on to win the championship at season's end.

23 Aug 2025
Orlando Pirates 2–1 Magesi FC
2–1

First fixture under the Orlando Amstel Arena branding; opening game of the 2025 refit.

help Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capacity of Orlando Stadium? add
40,000 after the 2008 rebuild. The record post-rebuild attendance is 37,139, set at the reopening fixture against Moroka Swallows. On Soweto Derby match-days Stadium Management South Africa typically caps sales at 37,000 to leave movement space in aisles and safety zones.
Who owns Orlando Stadium? add
The City of Johannesburg owns Orlando Stadium. Stadium Management South Africa operates the ground on behalf of the city, alongside the Orlando Pirates tenancy. Orlando Pirates does not own the stadium — the club pays match-day rental and concession splits under a long-term tenancy agreement.
Does Orlando Pirates own Orlando Stadium? add
No. Orlando Pirates is the primary PSL tenant at Orlando Stadium and has used the ground as its home since 1959, but the City of Johannesburg owns the stadium and Stadium Management South Africa runs the operations. The club and the stadium share a name only because the Orlando suburb of Soweto is where the club was founded.
Where is Orlando Stadium located? add
Mooki Street, Dube, Soweto, Johannesburg 1801 — 3 km north-east of Vilakazi Street and 15 km south-west of the Johannesburg CBD. From Sandton the drive runs 30 minutes off-peak and 40–55 minutes on match-days. OR Tambo International Airport is 35 km north-east via the N12 and N1.
How much are Orlando Stadium tickets? add
PSL league tickets for Orlando Pirates run R60–250. Soweto Derby pricing (when staged at Orlando) reaches R120–500. Nedbank Cup and MTN8 knockout fixtures cost R100–450. CAF Confederation Cup matches go R150–600. Buy through Computicket, Ticketmaster SA, or the Orlando Pirates official store.
When was Orlando Stadium built? add
1959, with Orlando Pirates formally adopting the ground as its home that year. The original bowl was demolished in 2006 and rebuilt from scratch at a reported cost of R280 million, reopening in 2008 with Boogertman + Partners as lead architect. The new bowl was designed to FIFA safety standards as part of the 2010 World Cup preparation work across Johannesburg.
What is the new name of Orlando Stadium? add
Orlando Amstel Arena, under a current naming-rights sponsorship with Amstel that took effect in 2025. The stadium is still commonly referred to as Orlando Stadium in fixture lists and most supporter culture. The City of Johannesburg remains the owner and Stadium Management South Africa runs the operations.
How do I get to Orlando Stadium without a car? add
Uber, Bolt, or inDrive from anywhere in Johannesburg — R160–280 from Rosebank and R200–350 from Sandton. Rea Vaya BRT from central Johannesburg to Thokoza Park plus a short minibus hop works for R35–60. Minibus taxis from Bara Taxi Rank go directly to the stadium for R15–25 per seat.

Related Pages

Last updated 2026-04-22 · written by Lebo Mokoena.

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