MATCH VENUES

EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK

Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg will be the scene of the opening two Tour matches for the Lions in South Africa.

The Lions have played seven Tests at the stadium formerly known as Ellis Park since 1938, winning two.

Opened in 1929 and expanded in 2009 to a capacity of 62,567, Emirates Airline Park will provide a fitting location for the 2021 Tour to begin as the Lions take on the Emirates Lions on Saturday, 3 July and the Cell C Sharks on Wednesday, 7 July.

LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM

Loftus Versfeld Stadium was opened in 1923 and has a long and illustrious history of hosting sporting events.

With a capacity of 51,762, the venue hosted fixtures during the 1995 World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ as well as multiple Tests between the Lions and Springboks. The ground’s first Test came in 1955 when the Lions won 9-6, and it also hosted the now famous second Test of the 2009 Tour.

The 2021 Lions will face the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 10 July.

CAPE TOWN STADIUM

Cape Town Stadium is one of South Africa’s newest, most impressive venues with a capacity of 55,000.

Opened in 2009, it sits upon the former site of the Green Point Stadium and hosted several matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

The Lions will face South Africa A at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, 14 July before returning to the venue to take on the DHL Stormers on Saturday, 17 July. The Lions will then meet the Springboks in the opening Test on Saturday, 24 July.

FNB STADIUM

FNB Stadium in Johannesburg has a capacity of 95,000 after being expanded in 2009 and is nicknamed The Calabash, having been inspired by the design of an African pot.

Originally opened in 1989 and known as Soccer City during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, FNB Stadium has hosted Tri-Nations and Rugby Championship matches between the Springboks and All Blacks.

In 2021, it will host the second and third Tests of the series between the Springboks and the Lions on Saturday, 31 July and Saturday, 7 August.