City Oval, Cricket stadium in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
City Oval is a cricket stadium in Pietermaritzburg that holds around 12,000 spectators and features a classic grandstand with Victorian-era design. The grounds are defined by natural elements, including trees that reach into the playing area.
The stadium was established in 1888 as Alexandra Park and later gained its current name. It received international attention when it hosted two World Cup cricket matches in 2003.
The stadium maintains a tradition where cricketers who score a century or take five wickets in a match plant a tree within the grounds. This practice shapes how the place looks and connects sport with nature conservation in a direct way.
The venue has modern floodlight systems that enable evening matches and serves as home ground for regional cricket teams. Visitors should keep in mind that the open setting and natural surroundings can affect weather exposure.
The stadium is one of only three top-tier cricket grounds worldwide where a tree stands within the official playing boundary. This tree is a visible marker of the long history of the place and its special connection to nature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
