The company 10bet, a global online betting operator, has signed a five-year agreement with Ellis Park stadium, becoming its official naming partner. As part of this rebranding, the iconic venue will now be called 10bet Ellis Park.
Acquiring the naming rights to the iconic Johannesburg stadium is part of 10bet's broader long-term strategy to deepen its investments in South African sports, communities, and fan experiences.
Michelle Colborne, Vice President of Marketing for 10bet Africa, stated in an interview with Business Report on Monday that this five-year partnership reflects the company's commitment to developing its presence in the country's sporting landscape. She emphasized that the company is interested in South Africans and aims to bring new energy to the 10bet Ellis Park Stadium.
Colborne also mentioned that 10bet has been collaborating with the national team Bafana Bafana for over three years. She expressed pride in the authentic partnership, noting the growth in support for the team during the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the World Cup, as well as its high performance. Furthermore, 10bet is an official partner of the PSL team Lamontville Golden Arrows.
According to Colborne, this collaboration brings the club's fans and Durban residents closer to their beloved team through activations and original content. The company is proud of its three sports partnerships in South Africa, which allow teams to focus on playing at the highest level.
Colborne concluded her statement by emphasizing that 10bet invests in the South African community, sport, and its fans, noting that Ellis Park is an important part of their community and world rugby history. She noted that participating in the life of this iconic stadium was a simple decision because the company wants to be involved in preserving its energy for fans.
Peter Burger, Managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium, welcomed this new commercial collaboration with 10bet, calling it a new chapter for the world-renowned venue. He stated that the five-year partnership represents a fresh and exciting period for the stadium, which he believes will benefit both brands, as they share a love for sport and dedication to fans.
Butch James, a former Springbok player, Lions midfielder, and current 10bet brand ambassador, highlighted the significance of this partnership. He emphasized that Ellis Park has always been one of the most iconic stadiums in world rugby. James shared memories of his performances at Ellis Park, especially his debut in an international match at this historic venue.
He added that under the 10bet and Ellis Park Stadium partnership, they will work to improve the match day experience, and together with stakeholders, will contribute to the revitalization of the city center project, strengthening the stadium's position as a leading destination for sport, entertainment, and community celebration.
The Istanbul Bashakshexir team, headed by Eldor Shomurodov and Abbosbek Faizullaev, will play its next playoff match today.
The game will take place at the Fotih Terim stadium in Istanbul. The match is scheduled to start at 22:45 Tashkent time. The qualification matches for the Conference League are ongoing.
The Turkish team Istanbul Bashakshexir will host the Finnish team Inter Turku on their home ground. The return match is scheduled for July 30th.
The 13th round of the Uzbekistan Super League begins today and will last for three days. During this round, clubs aim to improve their positions in the standings and earn crucial points in the fight for the championship title.
Three matches are scheduled for the first day of the round. 'Bukhoro' will host 'Bunyodkor' at its home ground, while one of the leaders, 'Pakhtakor', will play against 'Khorezm'. A match will also take place in Jizzakh, where 'Sogdiona' will test its strength against the league leader 'Neftchi'.
Before the match between 'Pakhtakor' and 'Khorezm', statistics from their previous games were presented. The clubs have played 18 matches together, winning 13 of them 'Sherlar', while the opponents won two matches. Three games ended in a draw. 'Khorezm' scored 37 goals, conceding 11, resulting in a goal ratio of 19:5.
The game between 'Pakhtakor' and 'Khorezm' is scheduled for July 21st at 20:00 at the 'Pakhtakor' stadium.
On July 22nd, matches will take place between 'Mashhal' – 'Nasaf', 'Lokomotiv' – 'Andijan', and 'Qo'qon-1912' – OKMK. These games are also of great importance in the fight for high positions in the standings.
On the last day of the round, 'Surhon' will host 'Dynamo' at its home ground. Additionally, a match will be held in Namangan between 'Navbahor' and 'Qizilqum'. After the completion of the 13th round, further clarification of the situation in the Super League standings is expected, and the battle for the championship and prize places will become even more intense.
Orlando Pirates continues its pre-season preparation for the 2026/27 season, playing a friendly match against Saudi giant Al Ittihad on Tuesday in Spain. Furthermore, the return of players from the Bafana national team has significantly strengthened the club's teamwork.
Sipho Tshabalala returned to the Buccaneers squad, joining the team in Spain after participating in the FIFA World Cup with Bafana Bafana. Other players, such as Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tshepang Morremotse, and Oswin Appollis, also took a short break after representing the national team at the global tournament before joining their teammates at the Spanish training camp.
The Bafana Bafana national team reached the World Cup playoffs for the first time in the country's history, but their journey ended in a loss to Canada in the Round of 32. After returning from the international assignment, the players were given time to recover before resuming their club duties during Pirates' pre-season.
The return of the national team players increased the level of competition for spots in the squad, as athletes are now vying for starting positions. Head coach Abdelsalam Waddu had the opportunity to work with the entire squad, continuing to implement his tactical ideas before the start of the new season. Tshepang Morremotse quickly demonstrated his effectiveness by scoring in Pirates' previous friendly match against Cadiz, thereby building physical fitness.
Tuesday's match against Al Ittihad is one of the toughest tests of the tour for Pirates, as the Saudi Pro League team is expected to present a different challenge for Waddu's side. In Spain, the technical staff focused not only on results but also on improving physical condition, tactical understanding, and establishing combinations within the squad. Since the teams face competitions in the Betway Premiership, MTN8, domestic cups, and the CAF Champions League, strengthening cohesion during the pre-season remains a key objective.
For the returning Bafana players, the remaining matches offer a chance to regain rhythm after participating in the World Cup while competing for a spot in Pirates' highly competitive squad. Following the meeting with Al Ittihad, the Buccaneers will conclude their Spanish tour with friendly matches against Las Palmas and Saudi Pro League newcomers Neom FC. These matches will allow Waddu additional opportunities to assess the squad and refine preparations before Pirates enter the final phase of recruitment for the 2026/27 season.
