Orlando Amstel Arena high-spirited naming deal

Article posted by Coliseum, February 11^th, 2026

Image: Orlando Pirates FC on Facebook

One of South African football’s most legendary venues has officially stepped into a new era. The Orlando Stadium has been renamed the Orlando Amstel Arena (Soweto, South Africa).

‘The Citizen’ stated that the above move signals both evolution and respect for a ground that has carried the heartbeat of Soweto football for generations.

The 37,313-capacity Orlando Stadium, officially known as the Orlando Amstel Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a multipurpose stadium in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg in Gauteng Province in South Africa.

The South African professional football club Orlando Pirates F.C. Chairman Irvin Khoza made the announcement recently. He confirmed that Amstel, under Heineken South Africa, has secured the stadium naming rights in a five-year deal.

The Orlando Pirates Football Club, referred to as simply Pirates, is a South African professional football club based in Orlando, Soweto (South Africa) that plays in the top-tier system of football in South Africa known as the Betway Premiership. The team plays its home matches at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.

Amstel in South Africa is a popular, premium-positioned, slow-brewed golden lager with a four percent–five percent alcohol by volume (ABV), known for its crisp, mildly bitter taste and iconic green bottle. Originally Dutch, it is now a staple in the South African market manufactured and distributed by Heineken Beverages (a major Southern African drinks company).

‘The Citizen’ further stated that the partnership deepens a relationship that began last year. It now extends beyond team sponsorship into the identity of Orlando Pirates’ historic home.

Opened in 1959, the Orlando Stadium has stood for more than six decades as far more than bricks and stands. It became the spiritual home of the Orlando Pirates.

The stadium has hosted home matches for more than 65 years and witnessed defining moments in South African football history.

From packed derby days to emotional Cup victories the stadium has been a place where stories were written and passed down through families.

Built to serve the people of Soweto the venue quickly grew into a cultural landmark. Its terraces echoed with the struggle-era resilience, post-democracy hope and the unbreakable bond between the club and the community.

For many supporters the Orlando Stadium is where their love for football began.

The renaming to Orlando Amstel Arena represents a new chapter without erasing that past.

Both Pirates and Amstel have stressed that the deal is not simply about branding. Instead, it is about enhancing the matchday experience, investing in quality and creating moments that bring people together.

Rooted in shared values of unity, respect and excellence the event aims to honor the stadium’s legacy while embracing its future.

As the Orlando Amstel Arena the ground now stands as a fusion of football tradition and lifestyle culture. With fresh investment, incentives and long-term commitment the partnership promises renewed energy for both the club and South African football at large.

The name may be new but the spirit of Orlando remains untouchable.

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