STADIUMSSoccer City StadiumJohannesburg's calabash-shaped Soccer City Stadium will be the jewel among the 10 stadiums that will host the first football World Cup to be played on African soil. Situated south-west of Johannesburg, a stone's throw from the famous township of Soweto, Soccer City Stadium will host the opening ceremony and the opening and final matches of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The stadium's unique calabash shape will be seen by millions of television viewers around the world, and remain as an enduring symbol of one of the proudest moments in South Africa's post-democratic history. To take its place among the top sports venues in the world – such as the Olympia Stadium Berlin, the Stadio San Siro in Milan, New Wembley in London and Bernabeu in Madrid – Soccer City has undergone a comprehensive design shift. The original stadium, known to many locals as the FNB Stadium, was almost completely demolished, with significant parts of the new structure being built from scratch, starting in early 2007. The stadium will host the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup on 11 June 2010, followed by group stage matches, a second-round match and a quarter-final. On 11 July 2010, the two best teams in the world will step onto the turf of Soccer City to determine which country will lift the Jules Rimet Trophy. ELLIS PARK STADIUMEllis Park Stadium in Johannesburg is to undergo minor upgrades for 2010. It has a capacity of 60 000 and will host five first-round matches, one second-round and one quarter-final match.
Ellis Park Stadium is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has hosted many epic sporting events including the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States. The ground was given a significant face-lift before the Confederations Cup finals and now seats 62,000 fans, increasing its capacity by almost nine per cent from the previous 57,000, with state-of-the-art media facilities, team whirlpools, top-class VIP areas for dignitaries, accessibility for disabled fans, a new pitch and a top-notch audio-visual setup to keep the fans informed during the game, no one will be left disappointed. Ellis Park was first built in 1928 as a rugby union stadium. It was demolished and rebuilt in 1982, again exclusively for rugby. It was named after JD Ellis, a Johannesburg city councilor who approved the use of the land for a stadium, setting aside a full 13 acres. The ground will always occupy a special place in the hearts of the country's sporting fans after the South African rugby team shocked New Zealand to lift the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy soon after being allowed back onto the world sporting stage. It was a moment that brought the people of South Africa together in celebration as the iconic scenes of Nelson Mandela holding aloft the trophy at Ellis Park were beamed around the world. The largest piece of construction has been the new tier on the north stand which has increased the seating capacity to 62,000. Ellis Park is home to one of the country's most popular clubs, Orlando Pirates FC.
Greenpoint StadiumThis is in Cape Town, Western Cape. The Greenpoint Stadium is to be specially built for 2010, with a retractable roof and a capacity of 70 000. It will host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.
The Moses Mabhida StadiumThis is in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and is to be specially built for 2010, with a capacity of 70 000. It will host five first-round matches, one second-round, and one semifinal match.
Artist's impression of the 50 000-seat Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. It is to be specially built for 2010 and will host five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarter-final and the third-place playoff.
Loftus Versveld StadiumLoftus Versveld in Pretoria is undergoing minor upgrades for 2010. It has a capacity of 45 000 and will host four first-round matches and one in the second round.
Mbombela StadiumThe 30 000-seat Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga province will be specially built for 2010 and host four first-round matches. Peter Mokaba Stadium The 40 000-seat Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo province. It will be specially built for 2010 and host four first-round matches
Free State StadiumThe Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State province, is to undergo a major upgrade, with the addition of a third tier increasing its capacity to 45 000. It will host five first-round matches and one in the second round
|
