Orlando Amstel Arena: A new chapter for a historic home
The City of Johannesburg’s Orlando Stadium has officially been renamed the Orlando Amstel Arena, with Stadium Management South Africa, Orlando Pirates and long-term partner Amstel marking the occasion today through a people-led ceremony at the stadium that honoured its history, its supporters and the connections formed within its walls.
As one of South Africa’s most iconic venues, the renaming was intentionally led by the voices that have shaped the stadium across generations: Pirates legends, supporters, and members of the Soweto community, reinforcing the club’s responsibility to both its past and its future.
The partnership with Amstel reflects a long-term commitment to the club and its supporters, built on shared values of quality, respect and unity. Amstel, a beer brand proudly part of the Heineken Beverages family, with a strong home and presence in South Africa, sees the naming as the next step in a relationship defined by mutual respect and belief in what the club represents.
“At Amstel, we believe the strongest bonds are built over time, through shared moments and real connection. Orlando Pirates and this stadium represent that idea in a very real way. The Orlando Amstel Arena is not about replacing history but investing in the golden bonds that continue to grow here,” said Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director at Heineken Beverages.
The stadium has always been defined by the people who fill it, not just the name on the gate. The unveiling was about recognising those connections first, and then confidently welcoming the Orlando Amstel Arena alongside a partner that understands this place, respects its history and is committed to what it continues to mean for our supporters.
The Orlando Amstel Arena will serve as the official home of Orlando Pirates, with the new name set to be integrated into matchday experiences and club culture as the season progresses.
Bertie Grobbelaar, Chief Executive Officer at Stadium Management concluded, “As Stadium Management South Africa, managing Orlando Stadium on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, we view this partnership as a progressive and collaborative model of how stadiums, clubs and sponsors can work together to unlock commercial opportunities, ensure sustainability, and deliver long-term impact for all stakeholders.”
For supporters, the change signals a new era, one that respects the legacy of the storied stadium while confidently looking to the future.