About Free State

The Free State is South Africa's maize and wheat belt, a flat highveld plateau of grain silos and sunflower fields that has earned it the nickname of the country's breadbasket. Bloemfontein, its capital, doubles as South Africa's judicial capital and seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and the province's rugby side, the Cheetahs, play out of Toyota Stadium there in front of one of the most loyal followings in domestic rugby. Gold built towns like Welkom and Virginia in the Free State Goldfields during the twentieth century, while the Basotho cultural heritage of the eastern border region shows up around Phuthaditjhaba and the sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, close to the Lesotho boundary and the source of the Tugela River system.

Free State's coming weeks mix rugby, festivals and adventure. The 2026 Rugby Season Cheetahs continues its run at Toyota Stadium, while football fans can catch Siwelele FC vs Chippa United at the same venue on 25 August. Outdoor enthusiasts can head into the mountains for the Tugela Falls Adventure near Phuthaditjhaba over 29-30 August. Festival season builds in September with TSHESENG SPRING FEST at Thibella Stadium, and party-goers can look ahead to ATM FEST taking over Sasolburg on 5-6 September. The season closes out in Welkom with WonderWhizFest at Griffons Rugby Stadium on 31 October.