Ellis Park Stadium - Home of the Lions, Johannesburg

Ellis Park Stadium is one of the most historically significant sports venues in South Africa — and indeed in world rugby — the home of the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions in the URC. Located at 47 North Park Lane in the Doornfontein suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, the 62,567-capacity multi-purpose stadium sits at an altitude of approximately 1,753 metres above sea level — the highest of any URC venue. Built in just eight months in 1927-1928 on land made available by Johannesburg City Councillor J.D. Ellis, the stadium opened in June 1928 with the first international rugby match against the All Blacks. Named after J.D. Ellis, the stadium is immortalised in world sporting history as the venue for the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final — where South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 on 24 June 1995, with President Nelson Mandela famously wearing a Springbok jersey to present the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Francois Pienaar. In 2005, Ellis Park made history by becoming the first black-owned stadium in South Africa. The stadium is operated by Ellis Park World of Sport and also hosted the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final, five group stage matches and one quarter-final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, plus cricket Test matches from 1947-1956 and a legendary crowd of 95,000 for the 1955 British and Irish Lions match. The stadium was known as Emirates Airline Park from 2015 until June 2025, when the naming rights deal ended and the venue reverted to the Ellis Park Stadium name. The Lions franchise (known as Fidelity SecureDrive Lions for sponsorship since late 2025) joined the URC in the 2021-22 season.

The Ellis Park site was secured in 1927 when the Transvaal Rugby Football Union negotiated with J.D. Ellis of the Johannesburg City Council to make 13 acres of land available — an area previously occupied by quarry and garbage dumps in Doornfontein. Construction began quickly, with the stadium built in just eight months and opening in June 1928 with a first international rugby match against the All Blacks. In 1932 the stadium was officially named Ellis Park after J.D. Ellis. Huge crowds flocked to the new venue: an extraordinary 95,000 spectators attended the British and Irish Lions match in 1955 — one of the largest rugby crowds ever assembled. Cricket Test matches were played at Ellis Park from 1947 to 1956 before the New Wanderers Stadium opened and cricket relocated. Rugby was briefly suspended during 1980-81 when the stadium was entirely rebuilt. The 1982 upgrade made Ellis Park the most modern stadium in South Africa, with capacity reaching close to 60,000. Naming rights history: Coca-Cola Park (2008-2012), Emirates Airline Park (2015-June 2025), reverting to Ellis Park Stadium from June 2025. The defining moment came on 24 June 1995 — the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final. South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 in extra time in front of a sold-out capacity crowd, with the image of President Nelson Mandela — 14 months into his term as South Africa's first democratically elected president — wearing a Springbok No. 6 jersey and presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar becoming one of the most famous photographs in world history. In 2005, the Golden Lions Rugby Union relinquished management to a majority black-owned company — making Ellis Park the first black-owned stadium in South Africa. A R500 million upgrade was completed in 2008-2009, expanding capacity by 5,000 seats, upgrading the Presidential Suite and hospitality rooms, and installing new changing rooms for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Lions joined the URC in 2021-22 as one of four South African franchises.

Ellis Park Stadium generates one of the most passionate rugby atmospheres in South Africa — a cauldron of Lions supporters at high altitude (1,753m above sea level) wearing the distinctive Emirates/Lions red, white and gold jerseys and generating intense noise from the 62,567-capacity bowl. The famous Ellis Park partisan crowd is known for its passionate support through difficult seasons, with the Lions being one of the most supported franchises in South African rugby despite being one of the least decorated in the professional era. The altitude at 1,753m is the most extreme of any URC venue — even higher than Loftus Versfeld's 1,350m — making Ellis Park one of the most physically demanding away grounds in the competition for visiting European and coastal South African teams. The Ellis Park Rugby Museum within the stadium — housing memorabilia from the famous 1995 World Cup Final — draws thousands of visitors year-round, and the stadium's legendary history gives every matchday a unique sense of occasion.

The Ellis Park Stadium and Rugby Museum Tour is a 90-minute guided behind-the-scenes experience of one of world rugby's most historically significant venues. Adult tickets approximately R120, child R60, with family rates available. Tours run Monday to Friday at 10am and 2pm, subject to availability — not available on Lions matchdays, Currie Cup matchdays, soccer match days, concerts, or events. The centrepiece is the Ellis Park Rugby Museum — one of South Africa's finest collections of rugby memorabilia featuring the original Webb Ellis Cup replica, match programmes from the 1928 All Blacks opening match, documentation of the legendary 1955 Lions crowd of 95,000, and extensive 1995 Rugby World Cup Final memorabilia including artefacts from the Nelson Mandela-Francois Pienaar moment. The tour also includes the home Lions dressing room, the players' tunnel, pitchside at 1,753m altitude, the Presidential Suite, nine conference and hospitality rooms overlooking the pitch, and the press room. Book via lionsrugby.co.za or by phone +27 11 402 8644. The tour is wheelchair accessible with prior notification.

The Ellis Park Rugby Museum is one of the great rugby heritage destinations in the world — located within the stadium and housing an extensive collection spanning almost 100 years of Ellis Park and South African rugby history. Key highlights include: the original Webb Ellis Cup replica from the famous 1995 Rugby World Cup Final; match programmes and artefacts from the June 1928 opening match against the New Zealand All Blacks; documentation of the extraordinary 95,000 crowd for the 1955 British and Irish Lions match; the full story of the iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup Final when South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 and President Nelson Mandela wore the Springbok No. 6 jersey to present the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Francois Pienaar (one of the most famous photographs in world history); the history of the Transvaal/Golden Lions/Lions franchise from 1889 to the URC era; and Ellis Park's 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy. The museum is accessible as part of the stadium tour (R120 adult / R60 child) and is open Monday-Friday on non-matchdays.