Johannesburg Sports Travel Guide

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, often called Jo’burg or Jozi is the largest city in South Africa and is a rapidly changing giant, offering stark contrasts.


Sport in Johannesburg

Rugby Union, Cricket and Football are among the most popular sports to watch in Johannesburg:

  • There are several football clubs based in the city, with the fierce Soweto Derby contested between two of the country’s most successful sides – Kazier Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Chiefs play at the FNB Stadium, the largest stadium in Africa and host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. The Pirates play at Orlando Stadium.
  • Other football clubs include the Moroka Swallows (playing at the Dobsonville Stadium) and Wits University (playing at Bidvest Stadium).
  • The Lions are the local cricket team competing in the national first cricket and One Day Cup competition’s, with the Jozi Stars playing in the Mzansi Super League Twenty20 tournament. Both teams play at Wanderers Stadium, venue for the 2003 Cricket World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup Final’s.
  • The Lions represent Johannesburg, North West and Mpumalanga in the Super Rugby competition, with the Golden Lions competing in the domestic Currie Cup. Both teams play at Ellis Park, scene of the famous 1995 Rugby World Cup Final in which the Springboks defeated New Zealand.

Travelling to Johannesburg

Airport – O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is South Africa’s primary international and domestic airport, offering direct flights to destinations on all continents.

From the airport, the Gautrain runs to Sandton in 15 minutes, for connections to Pretoria and Johannesburg change at Marlboro. There are plans for there to be a direct service to Pretoria and Johannesburg from the airport.

Thinking of flying? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus – Johannesburg Park Station is the main bus terminus for the city, with the well known companies of  City to CityGreyhoundIntercape and Translux all offering intercity travel from there. There are also international services to Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Train – Johannesburg Park Station is also the central rail hub for Johannesburg and largest railway station in Africa. It is the main hub of the Metrorail Gauteng, for services in and around the province as well as a terminus for long distance Shosholoza Meyl intercity services to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein via Kimberley, Komatipoort via Nelspruit and Musina via Polokwane.


Where to stay in Johannesburg

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Johannesburg by clicking here.

TripAdvisor

Food & Drink in Johannesburg

Use TripAdvisor to read other travellers reviews of bars and restaurants and find some great places to eat and drink in Johannesburg.


What to do in Johannesburg

  • The Apartheid Museum is a must see to learn about the era of segregation in South Africa.
  • The former prison at Constitution Hill where Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once held is now an important museum offering an insight into the history of the country.
  • The Gold Reef City amusement park is located on an old gold mine and takes you through the gold rush through theme park rides and historic exhibitions.
  • Take a tour of the famous Soweto township and visit the Mandela House, a converted museum where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962.
  • Whilst in Soweto take a bungee jump off the colourful Orlando Towers, a former power station.
  • The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important paleo-anthropological areas.

Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Sports Tourist

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