The Free State Stadium (), 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 Premiership, the primary association football tenant was Bloemfontein Celtic, who played in South Africa's domestic South African Premiership.
Upgrade In 2025, the stadium was downgraded to Class C status, meaning it was no longer eligible to host international rugby matches. An upgrade was completed in February 2026, restoring it to Class B, and once again eligible to host international matches.
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 #2RoundAttendance27 May 1995 10–57Group C12,00031 May 1995 50–2815,0004 June 19951 17–14517,000
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 #2RoundAttendance14 January 1996 0–0Group B9,00015 January 1996 2–11,50018 January 1996 2–01,50020 January 1996 5–12,00024 January 1996 4–020025 January 1996 2–0Group D3,50027 January 1996 3–1 Quarter-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 #2RoundAttendance15 June 200916:004–3Group B27,85117 June 200916:001–0Group A30,51220 June 200920:302–038,21224 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 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. Tenders were advertised in February and March 2007. Upgrade work started in July 2007.
DateTime (SAST)Team #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance14 June 201016.001–0Group E30,62017 June 201016.002–1Group B31,59320 June 201013.300–2Group F26,64322 June 201016.001–2Group A39,41525 June 201020.300–0Group H28,04227 June 201016.004–1Round of 1640,510
See also List of stadiums in South Africa List of African stadiums by capacity
References
External links
Bloemfontein : Official municipality website Photos of Stadiums in South Africa at cafe.daum.net/stade 360 View