Fifa 2010 World Cup SA Stadiums & Info

In June 2010, the world’s sporting eyes will be focused on South Africa, host to the FIFA 2010 World Cup. For the first time in FIFA’s 100-year history, the World Cup will go to the African continent. This sporting spectacle gives South Africa the chance to showcase the diversity, passion and beauty of this extraordinary country, on a world stage.

The 64 matches will be played in 10 stadiums, in 9 cities. The event kicks-off with the opening matches at the FNB (First National Bank) Stadium or Soccer City near Soweto, Johannesburg. The stadium is undergoing a major upgrade for 2010, and will also stage first- and second-round matches, a quarter-final, and the all important final. Originally built in 1987, the stadium is home to the South African Football Association (SAFA), and is the country’s premier football stadium. The upgrade – its design inspired by traditional ceramics – will include extending the upper tier, adding an encircling roof, and a new changing room complex. This will increase the current 80,000 capacity to 94,700.

It is thought that teams will carry out their final training sessions in and around Johannesburg. Local stadiums earmarked for this are: Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand Stadium, Cecil Payne Stadium, Rabie Ridge Stadium and Ruimsig Stadium.

Ellis Park, located near the centre of Johannesburg, will host first- and second-round matches, and a quarter-final. Famously home to the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when South Africa beat New Zealand in extra time, new upper tiers behind each goal will increase the capacity by 10,000 to 70,000. Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal have all played here, and the stadium is currently home to the Kaizer Chiefs football club – nicknamed Amakhosi, meaning ‘chiefs’ in Zulu.

In Pretoria, 30 miles north of Johannesburg, first- and second-round matches will be played in the Loftus Versveld stadium – named after the sports administrator, who died while at the ground. The Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 and following a series of major renovations since 1977, needs only minor upgrades for 2010.


Johannesburg and Pretoria are located in Gauteng, the most densely populated of the provinces, home to more than 7 million people. Here culture and entertainment flourish, so once the game is over, there will be no shortage of things to do. For something a little wilder, the Lanseria Lion Park and Krugersdorp Game Reserve are close by.

The Royal Bafoken Stadium in Rustenburg, a short drive from Johannesburg in the neighboring North West province, will stage first- and second- round matches. Opened in 1999, the multi-purpose stadium will only need minor works to bring it up to FIFA standards, two additional rows of seating on the second level increasing the capacity to 40,000.

If you love the outdoors, you will love the North West province. Hiking, rafting, mountain biking and abseiling are just some of the activities on offer. Spot the ‘big five’ at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, or relax with your family at the Sun City hotel complex.

Polokwane, the capital of the Limpopo province, will stage four first-round matches at its Peter Mokaba Stadium – named after the former President of the ANC Youth League, who died in 1999 at the age of 43. With only one stand and three grass banks, initial plans for a major upgrade were abandoned and a new 45,000 capacity stadium is being built, adjacent to the existing one.

The ancient lands of the Limpopo, or ‘Great North’, boast Stone Age relics; but it is perhaps best known for the Kruger National Park, the most famous game reserve in the world. Extend your visit and travel north to the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia, and the natural wonder that is the Victoria Falls. Here you can experience the true force of nature whether on a safari, fishing or white-water rafting down the Zambezi.

The 30,000 capacity Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, is being specially built for 2010 and will stage four first-round matches. With roof supports designed to resemble giraffes, the stadium is being designed to have an impact on the local economy long after 2010, with multi-sport, conference, and entertainment facilities.

The province of Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s more popular tourist areas. The beauty of Dullstroom, with its lakes and forests, offers excellent fly-fishing, traditional food and fresh air for all the family. For a more active break, try rock-climbing, paragliding or kloofing.

Home to the premier league Bloemfontein Celtics, Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium is host to first- and second-round matches. Used during the 1996 African Cup of Nations, it is also known as Vodacom Park, an area dedicated to sport of all kinds. Even after substantial upgrades for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the stadium will undergo further, major renovation as a second tier is added to the main grandstand, increasing its capacity to 48,000.

Free State province is home to the most productive gold and diamond mines in the world. With such a diverse range of activities on offer, tourist routes have been devised to ensure you get the most from your visit. Routes include: ‘The Goldfields Routes’, ‘Diamond and Wine Route’, ‘Steam Train Route’, and ‘The Battlefield Route’.

The World Cup heads for the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and visits the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’. King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban – named after the founding father of the Zulu Nation – is host to first- and second-round matches, and a semi-final. The stadium is being specially built and to qualify for semi-final status, will construct covered tiers at the north and sound ends of the stadium, bringing the seating capacity to 60,000.

A walkway leads fans directly from the stadium to the Durban beachfront. Stunning beaches offer safe swimming and fantastic surfing. If you have time, head inland to the breathtaking mountains of the Drakensberg National Park.

Port Elizabeth, on the coast of the Eastern Cape province, will host first- and second-round matches, a quarter-final and the third-place playoff, in the newly built Nelson Mandela Stadium. This futuristic, high-tech, five-tier stadium will have a capacity of 49,500, and be the first world-class football stadium in the Eastern Cape province.

June is a perfect time to visit Africa’s only ski resort in Tiffindell, or freefall 160 meters as you bungee-jump off Bloukrans River Bridge, down to Storms River below. For something calmer, why not go sailing on the warm waters of the Indian Ocean?

The newly-built, all-weather stadium at Greenpoint in Cape Town will host first- and second-round matches, a quarter-final and a semifinal. It will replace the existing stadium of the same name, and increase the capacity from 18,000 to 68,000. The building is organized over six levels, and includes a double-skin roof, designed for its acoustic properties. The stadium will be surrounded by 160 acres of urban park.


This is the favorite tourist destination in South Africa and it is not hard to see why. Here the warm waters of the Indian Ocean meet the chill of the Atlantic. Allow plenty of time to explore the capital of the Western Cape province. Scale Table Mountain, a dramatic backdrop to the Greenpoint Stadium, see the oceans meet at Cape Point or simply relax at Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. A short drive away and you are sitting in the heart of the Winelands. Head out on the Garden Route for whale watching or a round of golf. It is hard to do justice to this magnificent city in so few words.

Diversity, emotion, struggle and victory have shaped the South Africa we see today. As they take charge of one of the biggest sporting event on the globe, is there a more fitting stage for the ‘beautiful game’?

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