Editing Bloemfontein (section)

==Sports==

===Stadium===
[[File:Free State Stadium2.jpg|thumb|[[Free State Stadium]]]]
The [[Free State Stadium]] and the surrounding [[sports complex]] are the primary sports venues in the city and province. The venue was the hosting stadium of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] South Africa matches played in Bloemfontein. There are several other [[sports venue]]s in the city, however, including facilities belonging to the university, schools and sports clubs. Other stadiums in the city are [[Mangaung Oval]], [[Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium]] and [[Clive Solomons Stadium]].

===Soccer===
Bloemfontein was joint home (together with nearby [[Botshabelo, Free State|Botshabelo]]) to [[South African Premiership]] team [[Bloemfontein Celtic]] before the team sold their franchise in 2021. Some of the matches of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] were played at the Free State Stadium, including the historic 4–1 defeat of England by Germany in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Round of 16|round of 16]]

===Rugby===
Bloemfontein's [[Free State Stadium]] is home to two [[rugby union]] teams; the [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]], who as of 2023 compete as in invited side in the [[EPCR Challenge Cup]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/clubs/toyota-cheetahs/latest |title=Latest News, Toyota Cheetahs, EPCR Challenge Cup |date=2024-07-19 |work=ECPR Challenge Cup |language=en-GB}}</ref> and the [[Free State Cheetahs]] who play in the domestic [[Currie Cup]]. The Free State Cheetahs won the Currie Cup in 2005 against the [[Blue Bulls]]; they drew the final with the Blue Bulls in 2006 and retained the Currie Cup title in 2007 by beating the [[Golden Lions]], resulting in the Cheetahs remaining Currie Cup champions until 2008 when the failed to make the final for the first time since 2004. 2009 saw the Cheetahs return to the Currie Cup final, but they could not beat the Blue Bulls at [[Loftus Versfeld]]. In 2016, the Cheetahs won the Currie Cup after a perfect season, beating the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.

===Cricket===
The [[Knights (cricket team)|Knights cricket team]] representing the Free State and Northern Cape in various series is located at [[Mangaung Oval]], part of the Free State Stadium complex. Bloemfontein features as a regular venue for touring international and local cricket teams.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cricket South Africa - VKB Knights|url=https://cricket.co.za/team/2895/VKB-Knights/1592/2019-20-4-Day-Domestic-Series/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=cricket.co.za}}</ref>

===Soaring===
The town has one of the most active [[Gliding|soaring]] communities in South Africa and the world, using the [[New Tempe Airport]], north of Bloemfontein. {{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

===Motor sports===
Bloemfontein has a [[motocross]] track (tempe) run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club, as well as a [[go-kart]] circuit (M&F Raceway), which was closed down in early 2015.

===Shooting sports===
Bloemfontein has a comprehensive shooting centre {{convert|20|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the city, offering most forms of shooting, including various clay target, pistol, and rifle disciplines. Bloemfontein's shooting sports community has produced many provincial and national representatives.

==== Metallic Silhouette Shooting ====
Bloemfontein's Metallic Silhouette Shooting Range is one of the top [[Metallic silhouette shooting|metallic silhouette]] [[shooting range]]s in the world. Three [[International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union|IMSSU]] international championships have been held here :
[[File:BMSSK Range 2010.jpg|alt=BMSSK Shooting Range, 2010|thumb|BMSSK [[Metallic silhouette shooting|metallic silhouette]] [[shooting range]], 2010]]

* 2004 6th IMSSU World Championships<ref name="IMSSU - World Championship Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.imssu.org/results.aspx|title=IMSSU - World Championship Results|website=www.imssu.org|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>
* 2006 7th IMSSU World Championships<ref name="IMSSU - World Championship Results"/>
*2016 12th IMSSU World Championships<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imssu.org/ws2016.aspx|title=IMSSU World Championships 2016|website=www.imssu.org|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>

===Rock climbing===
Bloemfontein has two rock climbing clubs with a wall and boulder cave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sancf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=202:exciting-start-to-bloemfontein-wall&catid=43:fs&Itemid=18|title=Exciting start to Bloemfontein wall|website=www.sancf.org|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309103126/http://sancf.org/index.php?catid=43:fs&id=202:exciting-start-to-bloemfontein-wall&itemid=18&option=com_content&view=article|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>