World Cup 2010 Stadiums: Coca-Cola Park (Johannesburg)

Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Better known by its former name of Ellis Park, Coca-Cola Park is a venue steeped in South African sporting history. It was at this Johannesburg venue in 1995 that the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup overcoming the mighty New Zealand, Jonah Lomu et al in front of a crowd 60,000 people and a certain Nelson Mandela.

The ground has witnessed some great footballing moments too, such as South Africa's draws with then World and European Champions France in 2000 and the mighty Argentina in 1995. Ellis Park also hosted a poignant 'farewell' match to mark the end of Mandela's reign as SA President in 1999, which saw the likes of Rigobert Song, Dunga, Luis Hernandez, Jean-Pierre Papin and Christian Karembeu compete in an 'Africa All Stars' v 'World All Stars' game. Day-to-day, the stadium is home to South African Premier League side Orlando Pirates and rugby teams the Lions and Golden Lions.

Not all sporting memories of Ellis Park are happy ones. In 2001, a stampede during a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs saw the death of 42 people. Six years later, a freak local storm caused a match between the Pirates and Black Leopards to be abandoned after lightening storms and heavy winds threatened the safety of players and supporters.

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A £30m naming rights deal with the Coca-Cola Company saw the stadium become known as Coca-Cola Park in 2008. Unlike other FIFA World Cup venues, Coca-Cola Park will be able to use its commercial name during the 2010 tournament because the soft drinks giant is a major FIFA sponsor.

The ground's capacity will rise by 5,000 to 65,000 for the World Cup, with extra seating constructed on the north stand. There will also be new hospitality features and changing rooms for the venue hosting five group games, a second round game and a quarter-final.

Stadium Access

Coca-Cola Park is located to the South West of Johannesburg's central business area. A special train and rapid transit bus service (BRT) from the centre of the city will operate during the World Cup, making it one of the easiest tournament venues to get to. Supporters travelling by rail to the stadium should go either to Doornfontein or Ellis Park stations, both of which have been re-built to accommodate visitors in 2010.

The area surrounding the stadium, know as the Greater Ellis Park Precinct has benefited from £145m worth of investment head of the World Cup. Sculptures, indigenous trees and water features in the centre square outside Coca-Cola Park will be the focal point for fans before every match played here.

Park & Ride/Walk sites are located across Johannesburg during the World Cup at Wits West Campus at Wits University, Marks Park in Emmarentia, Bezuidenhout Park near Ellis Park Stadium and Montecasino in Fourways. Fanzones and public viewing points for the tournament exist at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto and Innes Free Park in Sandton.

OR Tambo Airport, located 14 miles east of Johannesburg, is the busiest airport in South Africa. Over 17 million customers pass through the airport every year - a figure expected to rise to 24m a year by 2015, following a recent expansion. There are five flights from OR Tambo Airport to London everyday.

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See an access map to the stadium

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