The launch of the Goldrush Dome in early 2025 marks a bold new chapter in South Africa’s entertainment evolution. Situated in the heart of Nasrec, right next to the iconic FNB Stadium, the venue is now the largest dedicated live entertainment space in the country, capable of hosting over 10,000 guests across a 6,000sqm floor plan. Backed by Goldrush Group, a trusted name in licensed gaming and hospitality, the Dome represents a deliberate expansion into the live events sector, blurring the line between entertainment, nightlife, and premium gaming experiences under one powerful brand.
In a city like Johannesburg, Africa’s financial and cultural capital, the demand for large-scale, internationally viable venues has been steadily growing. According to the South African Cultural Observatory, the creative and cultural industries contribute over R74 billion to the GDP annually, with live performance and events making up a significant share. The closure of the Ticketpro Dome in 2021 left a major gap in Johannesburg’s events infrastructure. The arrival of the Goldrush Dome fills that void, equipped with modernised rigging, acoustics, and integrated audiovisual capabilities delivered by technical partner Gearhouse Group. This not only supports large-scale concerts but creates new possibilities for high-end exhibitions, branded activations, and immersive multi-sensory shows.
Goldrush’s move into entertainment real estate is not merely opportunistic, it reflects broader shifts in consumer behaviour. The South African gaming industry, now worth over R35 billion, is evolving beyond the casino floor, with patrons increasingly expecting premium, curated experiences that combine hospitality, technology, and cultural relevance. By aligning its in-person entertainment ambitions with its already strong online presence, Goldrush is positioning itself at the centre of this convergence. The Dome becomes more than a venue, it’s a flagship for the brand’s growing national footprint, and a physical extension of the lifestyle that Goldrush customers have come to expect.
Strategic Location at Nasrec
Positioned directly beside the FNB Stadium, the Goldrush Dome taps into one of Johannesburg’s most iconic and active precincts. Nasrec is no stranger to scale, it hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final and regularly draws crowds exceeding 90,000 for major football and music events. This proximity ensures the Dome is seamlessly woven into an area already primed for high-capacity foot traffic and large-scale event logistics.
The nearby Nasrec Gautrain link and Rea Vaya BRT routes make the venue reachable for commuters across Johannesburg, while the M1 and Soweto Highway allow for direct access from both Sandton and the southern townships. This connectivity positions the Dome to attract a cross-section of audiences, from urban professionals to out-of-town visitors attending concerts, conferences or expos.
With the adjacent Expo Centre Johannesburg and the stadium precinct acting as anchors, the area is evolving into a full-scale entertainment corridor. This clustering effect boosts local business and tourism spend, while giving event organisers a competitive, ready-made destination. The Goldrush Dome’s location isn’t just convenient, it’s commercially strategic.
State-of-the-Art Venue Specifications
The Goldrush Dome stands out as South Africa’s largest dedicated indoor entertainment venue, offering over 6,000 square metres of configurable floor space and accommodating up to 10,500 attendees. This scale places it in direct competition with some of the continent’s most recognised arenas, meeting global technical and logistical requirements for touring productions.
Its modular layout and high-clearance design allow for rapid transformation, supporting everything from large-format concerts and televised award shows to industry expos and private corporate galas. This level of adaptability responds directly to a growing demand in the events sector, South Africa’s live entertainment market saw a 19% rebound in 2023, with multi-use venues leading recovery momentum, according to PwC’s Africa Entertainment Outlook.
The Dome’s technical backbone was developed in partnership with Gearhouse Group, bringing world-class rigging, acoustics, and integrated control systems under one roof. That foundation enables international headliners and emerging South African talent to perform with production values on par with European or American venues. It’s a serious platform, built for ambitious experiences.