Written by the 10bet Content Team. Published 5 October 2026.
10bet Ellis Park, in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, is one of the great rugby grounds in the world. It hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, it has been the home of the Lions since 1996, and in 2026 it began a new chapter when 10bet became its official naming rights partner. This guide covers where the stadium is, how its name has changed over the years, what the naming rights partnership means for supporters, and what to know before you follow a match there.
10bet Ellis Park at a glance
- Location: 47 N Park Lane, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Opened: 1928, with the first Test played that June
- Capacity: about 62,500 for rugby union and football
- Home team: the 10bet Lions, in the United Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup
- Current name: 10bet Ellis Park, from the five-year naming rights agreement announced in July 2026
10bet becomes the naming rights partner
In July 2026 Ellis Park Stadium announced 10bet as its official naming rights partner in a five-year agreement, and the venue is now known as 10bet Ellis Park. The announcement said the partnership would focus on the matchday experience for fans and on working with the relevant stakeholders to revive the inner-city project around the stadium, strengthening its place as a destination for sport, entertainment and community events.
The link with the ground grew in August 2026, when 10bet also became the official naming rights partner of the Lions. The team now takes the field as the 10bet Lions, with the 10bet brand on the front of the playing jersey. You can read the full story in our Lions partnership announcement.
The many names of Ellis Park
Search for the stadium and you will meet several names, all for the same ground. It was known as Coca-Cola Park from 2008 to 2012, then as Emirates Airline Park from 2015 until 2025. Supporters kept calling it Ellis Park throughout, and the name appears again in 10bet Ellis Park. If you are reading older match reports or hunting for an old seating plan under a previous name, you are looking at the same stadium.
The 1995 final and a ground built for big days
On 24 June 1995, South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12 in extra time here in the Rugby World Cup final, in front of about 65,000 spectators. It remains the match most South Africans point to when they talk about rugby and national pride. The stadium later hosted seven matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, including a Round of 16 tie and a quarter-final, which makes it one of the few grounds in the country to have staged both a World Cup final and World Cup knockout football.
Who plays at 10bet Ellis Park?
Rugby is the stadium’s heartbeat. The 10bet Lions play their home United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup fixtures here, and the ground regularly hosts Springbok Tests. Football also has a home here, from league matches to provincial and international games, and the venue stages concerts and community events too. Because the Lions share the URC with the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers, the home fixtures against those three are the dates South African rugby fans circle first.
Lions home fixtures to watch
Local derbies carry the most noise. When the Lions host the Bulls, Sharks or Stormers, the build-up starts days earlier and the atmosphere is hard to match anywhere in the competition. Check the official United Rugby Championship fixture list for current dates and kick-off times before you plan your match day.
A first Test at Ellis Park
For many players the ground is a rite of passage. Former Springbok and Lions flyhalf Butch James, now a 10bet brand ambassador, made his first Test appearance at Ellis Park, and he has spoken about running out in front of a packed crowd as a moment he will never forget.
Following a Lions match as a punter
If you enjoy a bet on rugby, fixed-odds markets on a Lions match typically cover the match result, the handicap and the total points. Before a home game at 10bet Ellis Park it helps to check team news, recent form and the weather on the Highveld, where altitude and conditions affect the kicking game. Markets differ from fixture to fixture, so check the match page for what is on offer.
Read our beginner’s guide to betting on rugby for how handicaps and totals work, and see the full sportsbook for the latest rugby odds.
Frequently asked questions
Where is 10bet Ellis Park?
It is at 47 N Park Lane in Doornfontein, on the eastern edge of Johannesburg’s city centre.
Is 10bet Ellis Park the same as Ellis Park Stadium?
Yes. Ellis Park Stadium became 10bet Ellis Park under a five-year naming rights agreement announced in July 2026.
How many people does the stadium hold?
About 62,500 for rugby union and football. The capacity was reduced for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Is Ellis Park the same as Emirates Airline Park?
Yes. Emirates Airline Park was the stadium’s name from 2015 until 2025. The ground has since taken the name 10bet Ellis Park.
Which team plays at Ellis Park?
The 10bet Lions play their home United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup matches there. The ground also hosts Springbok Tests and football fixtures.
Can I bet on Lions matches?
Yes, 10bet offers fixed-odds betting on Lions fixtures. You must be 18 or older, and available markets depend on the match.
Related reading
- Ellis Park Stadium secures 10bet as official naming rights partner
- 10bet deepens its investment in South African rugby as naming rights partner of the Lions
- How to bet on rugby: a beginner’s guide
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