Loftus Versfeld in the heart of Pretoria, currently has a seating capacity of 45,000. Very little upgrade is needed for the stadium to be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. It is also a venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. The site on which Loftus Versfeld is located was first used for sport in 1903. It was named after Mr Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, who is attributed with establishing organised sport in Pretoria. It has been used for numerous sports events including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It is now used by Mamelodi Sundowns as their home ground. Often simply referred to as Loftus, it has served as a venue for many international matches. South Africa achieved their first victory over a European opposition at Loftus Versfeld, beating Sweden 1-0.

During spring, Pretoria, coloured purple by the Jacaranda trees, makes a magnificent sight, which gives rise to the city's nickname, Jacaranda City.

Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. Many embassies thus call this city their home.

The Union Buildings house the administration of the country and have also been the setting for all the presidential inaugurations of Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. These sandstone buildings offer beautiful views over the city.

There is a lively culture in the city with a variety of museums, monuments, historical buildings and art centres. The Science and Technology Museum offers a tactile experience of science at work. The South African mint still has a minting press dating back to 1892, which is still in operation. The city also offers township sleepovers with a five-star stay.

Church Square and the State Theatre often host international and national performances. There are also two nature reserves where visitors can view wildlife such as buffalo, antelope, cheetah, jackal, giraffe and sable.

History
The Ndebele people were the first people to settle along the Tshwane River, which was named after a Ndebele chief.

This would later become the site for Pretoria. In 1855, it became the first capital of the Zuid-Afrikaanche Republiek (ZAR), a territory claimed by the Dutch settlers in South Africa.

The Rivonia Treason Trial (1956-1961), which led to the prosecution of Nelson Mandela among others, was held in Pretoria. In 1994, the same accused would also be sworn into office as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Pretoria is now part of the Tshwane, which was established on 5 December 2000. It incorporates 13 previous local authorities including Pretoria, Centurion, Akasia and Soshanguve, and the surrounding areas of Mabopane, Atteridgeville, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveld, Hammanskraal, Temba, Pienaarsrivier, Crocodile River and Mamelodi as one administrative entity.

Football
Pretoria has long been a city synonymous with top professional football in South Africa and the breeding ground for many of the country's top players. Arcadia and Berea Park were the city's first professional sides. In later years Mamelodi Sundowns, Mamelodi United, Pretoria City and SuperSport United have kept up the trend.

Arcadia were triple winners in 1974 but it is Mamelodi Sundowns who have been the real pride of the city. They broke the Professional Soccer League record, winning the league five times in a row since 1988. Sundowns were also runners up in the 2001 CAF Champions League. They have been nicknamed 'the Brazilians' because of their blue and yellow kit.

Pretoria University has the largest sports excellence school in the country. They also have the highest number of female football players, producing exceptionally strong women's teams.