Ellis Park Stadium[1] is a rugby union stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the Rugby World Cup final in 1995, which was won by the country's national team, the Springboks. The large stadium was the country's most modern when it was upgraded in 1982 to accommodate almost 60,000 people. Today, the stadium hosts both football and rugby, and is also used as a venue for other large events, such as open-air concerts. It has become synonymous with rugby as the only time when rugby was not played at Ellis Park was during 1980 and 1981 when the stadium was under construction during an upgrade. In 2001 a stampede occurred during a soccer game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. With 42 people killed, the Ellis Park Stadium disaster is the biggest of its kind in South Africa. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Doornfontein is an inner-city suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, located to the east of the city centre, Region 8. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... (This article is about the South African rugby team. ... “GBP” redirects here. ... (This article is about the South African rugby team. ... The Lions, known as the Cats through the 2006 season, are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super 14 competition. ... Orlando Pirates are a South African football team, founded in 1937 in the Orlando section of Soweto, South Africa. ... The South African Rugby Union (SARU) is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board. ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... The new Wembley Stadium in London is the most expensive stadium ever built; it has a seating capacity of 90,000 This article is about the building type. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... Capital Johannesburg Largest city Johannesburg Area  - Total Ranked 9th 17,010 km² Premier (List) Mbhazima Shilowa (ANC) Population   - 2001   - 1996   - Density (2001) Ranked 2nd 8,837,172 7,348,423 520/km² (Ranked 1st) Languages isiZulu (21. ... For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ... First international South Africa 4 - 0 British Isles (30 July 1891) Largest win South Africa  134 - 3  Uruguay (11 June 2005) Worst defeat  England 53 - 3 South Africa  (23rd November, 2002) World Cup Appearances 4 (First in 1995) Best result Champions, 1995 and 2007 Springboks redirects here. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... A stampede is an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the herd (or crowd) collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Orlando Pirates are a South African football team, founded in 1937 in the Orlando section of Soweto, South Africa. ... Kaizer Chiefs can refer to: Kaizer Chiefs Football Club - a South African football team Kaiser Chiefs - a music group Categories: Disambiguation ... On the 11 April 2001 spectators poured into the Ellis Park Stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa for the local derby match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. ...

The stadium is named after Mr JD Ellis who made the initial area for the stadium available.

League, provincial, and international games have all been played at the stadium, and it has seen such teams as Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal play. Ellis Park Stadium is the centrepiece of a sporting sector in the south-east of Johannesburg, where it neighbours Johannesburg Stadium (athletics), Standard Bank Stadium (tennis), and an Olympic-class swimming pool. Manchester United Football Club are a world-famous English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and are one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, with over 50 million supporters worldwide. ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... Johannesburg Stadium is a stadium in the Doornfontein suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. ... A womens 400m hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track. ... Standard Bank Stadium is a baseball field located in Crestwood, Illinois. ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ...

Ellis Park Stadium is home to the following teams:

• Orlando Pirates, Premier Soccer League)
• Lions (Cats until September 2006), Super 14 Southern Hemisphere rugby competition
• Golden Lions, Currie Cup domestic rugby competition

Cricket matches were held at the stadium in the past. It hosted six Test matches between 1948 and 1954, but it has not been used for first-class cricket since New Wanderers Stadium opened in 1956 and is now used only for rugby and soccer. Orlando Pirates are a South African football team, founded in 1937 in the Orlando section of Soweto, South Africa. ... Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa, also known by its initials (PSL). ... The Lions, known as the Cats through the 2006 season, are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super 14 competition. ... The Super 14 is the largest rugby union football club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... (This article is about the South African rugby team. ... For the cricket competition originally known as the Currie Cup, see SuperSport Series. ... Bowler Shaun Pollock bowls to batsman Michael Hussey. ... For the womens version of the game, see Womens Test cricket. ... First-class cricket matches are those between international teams or the highest standard of domestic teams in which teams have two innings each. ... New Wanderers Stadium is a cricket stadium in South Africa which stages Test cricket matches. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ...

History

In 1889 when after a long and hard fought battle the Transvaal Rugby Football Union (now the Golden Lions Rugby Union) was formed and established a domain. The first games were played at the Wanderers Club’s stadium whose grounds were situated where Johannesburg Park station is today. Rows between the different rugby clubs as well as the Wanderers Club's claim of the field for the use of cricket games, forced the TRFU to look for an alternative. Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... (This article is about the South African rugby team. ...

An area with a quarry and garbage dumps in Doornfontein was identified in 1927 as the possible alternative. The TRFU negotiated with the Johannesburg City Council's, Mr JD Ellis, (after whom Ellis Park was named) for the availability of these grounds and 13 acres was made available. On 10 October 1927 the final rental agreement was signed. A quote of £600 was accepted for the grass and with a loan from the city council to the amount of £5 000, the building of the new stadium could commence. The stadium was built in eight months and in June 1928 the first test was played against the All Blacks. Thus was born Ellis Park which became internationally renowned and synonymous with rugby. Crowds of between 38 000 and a record crowd of 100 000 against the British Lions (in 1955) attended the matches. Doornfontein is an inner-city suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, located to the east of the city centre, Region 8. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... First international  Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand  (15 August 1903) Largest win  New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan  (4 June 1995) Worst defeat  Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand  (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 The All Blacks are New Zealands national rugby... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... Two rugby teams may be known as the British Lions, though it is not the correct title for either: The British and Irish Lions are a touring side playing rugby union. ...

Ellis Park played the host for cricket matches after an agreement was reached between TRFU and Cricket|Union. From 1947 when the cricket pitch was laid until 1956, Ellis Park was host to various cricket matches with the final games played in the 1953/54 series against New Zealand. Cricket then moved to its new venue where the current Wanderers still is today. Bowler Shaun Pollock bowls to batsman Michael Hussey. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 28 April 1969 the TRFU formed a stadium committee to investigate the possibilities of a new stadium since the one in use did not meet all the modern requirements. Only fifteen years later, after the game between Transvaal and the World Team on 31 March 1979, the old Ellis Park was demolished. Games were played at the Wanderers while the stadium was being rebuilt. is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

A new TRFU management was elected in 1984 with Dr Louis Luyt as Chairman and Prof Joe Poolman as his deputy. The decision was taken to place Ellis Park Stadium under the management of a trust. In 1987 after the Ellis Park Stadium was listed on the stock exchange and due to sound financial management by Dr Luyt, Ellis Park could announce that the debt to the amount of R53 million was fully paid and a further 86 suites could be erected. This article is about the year. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ...

Today the Golden Lions Rugby Union (Transvaal Rugby Union before) and Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd are debt free and have cash resources of more than all the other Unions and South African Rugby Union combined as well as borrowing powers of a similar amount.

In 1995 rugby fever hit the country with South Africa's hosting of the Rugby World Cup, the biggest event on the rugby calendar. Ellis Park was the venue for the World Cup Final which was played on 24 June 1995. In this spectacular final, New Zealand and South Africa ran onto the field at 14:45 in front of 62 000 spectators and millions of spectators in front of their TVs. South Africa won this game 15-12 in extra time. is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

On 11 April 2001 during a local derby match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates a stampede took place in the stadium resulting in the biggest loss of life for that type of disaster in South Africa. is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... A stampede is an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the herd (or crowd) collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose. ...

See main article: Ellis Park Stadium disaster

In 2005 Ellis Park Stadium made history by becoming the first black owned stadium in South Africa. The Golden Lions Rugby Football Union passed the management of the Ellis Park Precinct to a company with 51% black ownership. Interza Lesego, Orlando Pirates F.C. and Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd make up the new management of the Ellis Park Precinct. On the 11 April 2001 spectators poured into the Ellis Park Stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa for the local derby match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... (This article is about the South African rugby team. ... Orlando Pirates are a South African football team, founded in 1937 in the Orlando section of Soweto, South Africa. ...

The stadium was also witness to a bizarre event during a Premier Soccer League football match between Orlando Pirates and Black Leopards on January 17, 2007 when high winds blew several sideline advertising boards onto the pitch, striking a linesman and three players. Play resumed 7 minutes later, but the match was ultimately abandoned 6 minutes from full time due to sudden torrential rains and lightning. The game's kickoff previously had been delayed 15 minutes by a power failure. [2] Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa, also known by its initials (PSL). ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... Orlando Pirates are a South African football team, founded in 1937 in the Orlando section of Soweto, South Africa. ... The Black Leopards are a South African football club, playing in the countrys Premier Soccer League. ... is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Future

Ellis Park Stadium will host one of the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, for which its capacity will be increased by 5,000 seats on the northern side only, to 65,000. Areas like the Presidential suite are already receiving a facelift. There will also be a hospitality room and new changing rooms. The total cost of renovations is R500 million and will be complete in June 2008, 2 years before the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. ... The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. ...

Construction Facts

• More than 30 000 square metres of concrete was poured into the structure.
• More than 4 500 tons of reinforcement was used in the floor area of 48 000 square metres - and this does not include the seating areas.
• Nearly 500 000 pockets of cement went into the work done over 3,2 million man hours.
• There are about 3,1 million bricks laid at the stadium, 1372 windows of various sizes, more than 4,1km of handrails and a total of 70km piping for chairs.
• There are fifty 200 watt speakers, thirty 30 watt speakers & 245 speakers clustered around the stadium.

External links

• WorldStadiums.com entry
• Official site
• Ground profile from Cricinfo

Preceded by Twickenham London

Rugby World Cup Final Venue 1995

Succeeded by Millennium Stadium Cardiff

Coordinates: 26°11′51.07″S, 28°3′38.76″E Cricinfo is the largest cricket-related website and one of the largest websites in the world with more than 20 million users. ... Twickenham Stadium (usually known as just Twickenham or Twickers[1]) is a stadium located in Twickenham, a suburb of south-west London (in the historic county of Middlesex). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ... The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm), is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff, and is used primarily for rugby union and football home internationals. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...