Stadium: Free State Stadium

As South Africa’s judicial capital, Bloemfontein has become known through the years as 'the central city', 'the hospitable city', 'the congress city' and 'the city of roses'. Located in the central interior of South Africa. Mangaung/Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa and the provincial capital of the Free State Province.

Different attractions await the visitor to this friendly city, from old world charm to ultra-modern, high-tech sophistication. With 460 000 inhabitants, Bloemfontein offers excellent recreational and entertainment facilities which include public parks, swimming pools, sports fields, a game reserve and a zoo.

The city has a wealth of culture and history, reflected by its rich architectural heritage, numerous museums and monuments. Mangaung/Bloemfontein is an excellent place to start discovering the Free State Province.

Facts

Name: Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Province: Free State
Population: 850 000
Altitude: 1400m
Geography: The city is located in central South Africa on the Free State Plateau. The landscape is accentuated by grassland plains and low hills.
Climate: Dry winters, from May to August with temperatures around 17° C in the day and reaching -2° C at night. Summer ranges from October to February and city is much warmer, around 30° C during the day and cloud bursts in the afternoon.
Key Economic Sectors: Trade, Finance, Transport
Professional Football Clubs: Bloemfontein Celtics (Premier League), Free State Stars (1st Division)

Football

Bloemfontein Celtic are the city's best known footballing product. The fans of Bloemfontien Celtic are renowned for their enthusiasm. The team's kit is very similar to the Scottish team Celtic, with green and white horizontal stripes.

The Free State Stadium was the setting for most of Group B's games during the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted by South Africa.

• Free State Stadium
• Map of the Bloemfontein Area
• Other Cities