Orlando Stadium, the beating heart of Soweto football, has entered a new chapter - reborn as the Orlando Amstel Arena. The renaming, announced on Tuesday, is more than a corporate deal; it’s a moment that fuses history, community, and modern football’s commercial realities.
For over 65 years, Orlando Stadium has been more than concrete and steel. It has been a gathering place for generations of Orlando Pirates supporters, a stage for triumphs and heartbreaks, and a symbol of Soweto’s resilience.
“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.
Locals affectionately call it Esgodini saka Maminzela, a place where football folklore was written in sweat and song. From the roaring 1970s crowds to the modern-day Buccaneers faithful, the stadium has carried the pulse of township football.
NEW NAME, NEW ERA
The unveiling of Orlando Amstel Arena came with fanfare — music from the club’s male choir, celebrities, former players, and a palpable sense of history colliding with the future.
The deal, a five-year sponsorship agreement between Orlando Pirates and Amstel (through Heineken South Africa), secures naming rights to one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting venues.
Soweto’s fortress enters a new chapter - 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 27, 2026
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/31il3w5m61
Renaming a stadium is never just about signage. It’s about identity. For some supporters, the name “Orlando Stadium” carries too much history to be altered. Yet, football today is inseparable from sponsorships and global branding.
The Amstel partnership reflects this reality: a fusion of tradition and modernity, where the stadium’s soul remains intact even as its name evolves.
The Pirates’ leadership emphasised that the deal is not only about money but about infrastructure development and community upliftment. As Chief Administrator Mcebo Dlamini noted, “The talent is there, but what is often missing is the infrastructure. We are rooted in the township, and this stadium means a lot to the people.”
The Orlando Amstel Arena now stands as a symbol of ambition. It’s a reminder that Soweto’s football cathedral is not frozen in time but alive, adapting to the demands of the modern game. For the Buccaneers, it’s a chance to deepen their legacy while ensuring sustainability in a competitive football economy.
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.”
Supporters will still sing the same songs, wear the same black-and-white jerseys, and fill the stands with the same passion. The name may have changed, but the essence of Orlando remains.