7.Free State Stadium - Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Home to some of the country's most fanatical group of supporters, the Free State Stadium is likely to be the centre of attention during the FIFA World Cup™. The stadium was given a plush new look for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. It hosted the memorable semi-final match between Spain and USA where the latter secured one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by sending the European champions packing in front of a capacity crowd.
The Free State Stadium was upgraded from a capacity of 38,000 to 40,911 during the refurbishments. The stadium has hosted numerous major football and rugby union matches, and Bloemfontein's natives are renowned for their passion for sport. While the former played second fiddle to the latter for decades, football's popularity explosion - aided by the emergence of Bloemfontein Celtic - is changing this. The Celtic fans are known as Siwelele, a Sotho term.
Stadium:
|
Free State
|
City:
|
Mangaung / Bloemfontein
|
Built:
|
1952
|
Construction:
|
medium upgrade
|
Completion:
|
2008
|
Gross Capacity (after upgrade):
|
40,9
|
Match |
Date - Time |
Stage |
|
|
Results |
|
|
10 |
14 June - 16:00 |
Group E |
|
Japan |
Background |
Cameroon |
|
19 |
17 June - 16:00 |
Group B |
|
Greece |
Background |
Nigeria |
|
27 |
20 June - 13:30 |
Group F |
|
Slovakia |
Background |
Paraguay |
|
34 |
22 June - 16:00 |
Group A |
|
France |
Background |
South Africa |
|
48 |
25 June - 20:30 |
Group H |
|
Switzerland |
Background |
Honduras |
|
51 |
27 June - 16:00 |
Round of 16 |
|
1D |
- |
2C |
|
8.Durban Stadium - Durban
The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The ground epitomises the architectural innovation on display in South Africa and takes its design inspiration from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolising the new unity of a once-divided country.
The 62,760-seater has been specifically designed as a multi-purpose venue and an amphitheatre complete with a cable car which ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, visitors can experience spectacular panoramic views of the nearby shoreline and the city. The roof is attached to the arch by 95mm-diameter steel cables. Each seat of the stadium is spacious and comfortable, providing a clear line of sight to the pitch.
It is a world-class and multifunctional arena located in the heart of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will be the jewel in the crown of the Kings Park Sporting precinct. The entire area will feature additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach.
The stadium was built on the site of the old Kings Park Stadium. Moses Mabhida, the ground's namesake, was born in Thornville near Pietermaritzburg on 14 October 1923 into a poor family who were later forced off their land. In 1963, Mabhida was asked by Oliver Tambo while working in Prague rallying support from the World Federation of Trade Unions, to come back to Africa to develop the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He underwent military training and became the chief political instructor of new military recruits. He later served as the commander of MK.
Name:
|
Durban Stadium
|
City:
|
Durban
|
Construction:
|
new
|
Completion:
|
2009
|
Gross Capacity:
|
62,760
|
Match |
Date - Time |
Stage |
|
|
Results |
|
|
7 |
13 June - 20:30 |
Group D |
|
Germany |
Background |
Australia |
|
16 |
16 June - 16:00 |
Group H |
|
Spain |
Background |
Switzerland |
|
25 |
19 June - 13:30 |
Group E |
|
Netherlands |
Background |
Japan |
|
35 |
22 June - 20:30 |
Group B |
|
Nigeria |
Background |
Korea Republic |
|
45 |
25 June - 16:00 |
Group G |
|
Portugal |
Background |
Brazil |
|
53 |
28 June - 16:00 |
Round of 16 |
|
1E |
- |
2F |
|
62 |
07 July - 20:30 |
Semi-finals |
|
W59 |
- |
W60 |
|
9.Port Elizabeth Stadium - Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake is the first football dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. The stadium, one of the newly-built stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the world's greatest show on earth - a major milestone for the city.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host the match for third place, and a quarter-final amid a total of eight matches during the FIFA World Cup. The stadium has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake.
Before the construction of this multi-purpose venue, all international football matches were played at the Eastern Province rugby stadium, the EPRU Stadium. The playing field is natural grass with the outer / surrounding area to be artificial turf. One of its first major test events was the coveted Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs - a game that attracts capacity crowds in South Africa.
Name:
|
Port Elizabeth
|
City:
|
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
|
Construction:
|
new
|
Completion:
|
2009
|
Gross Capacity:
|
42,486
|
Match |
Date - Time |
Stage |
|
|
Results |
|
|
4 |
12 June - 13:30 |
Group B |
|
Korea Republic |
Preview |
Greece |
|
13 |
15 June - 16:00 |
Group G |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
Background |
Portugal |
|
21 |
18 June - 13:30 |
Group D |
|
Germany |
Background |
Serbia |
|
31 |
21 June - 16:00 |
Group H |
|
Chile |
Background |
Switzerland |
|
37 |
23 June - 16:00 |
Group C |
|
Slovenia |
Background |
England |
|
49 |
26 June - 16:00 |
Round of 16 |
|
1A |
- |
2B |
|
57 |
02 July - 16:00 |
Quarter-finals |
|
W53 |
- |
W54 |
|
63 |
10 July - 20:30 |
Match for third place |
|
L61 |
- |
L62 |
|
10.Green Point Stadium - Cape Town
One of the most artistic football venues in South Africa, the newly-built Green Point Stadium is situated in one of the much sought-after areas in the city of Cape Town. Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the FIFA World Cup™.
This multi-purpose venue is also going to be used to stage major events and concerts. Fans will be a stone's throw from the ocean and the mountains of Cape Town will also provide the backdrop for matches. The location is ideal as it is a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. The new stadium has been partly built on land that was previously used as a golf course.
The stadium, which has an exterior that is covered with noise-reducing cladding has a capacity of 64,100 and is scheduled for completion in December 2009. The Green Point Common, on which the new 2010 stadium is being built, was originally much larger than what now remains, and included most of the land between the sea and Signal Hill, stretching from the city centre towards Sea Point.
Cape Town has another world-standard stadium, Newlands, but this is primarily used as a rugby union venue. Post FIFA World Cup, the Green Point Stadium is likely to be used by some of the Cape Town-based professional football outfits that include Ajax Cape Town and Santos.
Name:
|
Green Point
|
City:
|
Cape Town
|
Construction:
|
new
|
Completion:
|
2009
|
Gross Capacity:
|
64,100
|
Match |
Date - Time |
Stage |
|
|
Results |
|
|
2 |
11 June - 20:30 |
Group A |
|
Uruguay |
Preview |
France |
|
11 |
14 June - 20:30 |
Group F |
|
Italy |
Background |
Paraguay |
|
23 |
18 June - 20:30 |
Group C |
|
England |
Background |
Algeria |
|
30 |
21 June - 13:30 |
Group G |
|
Portugal |
Background |
Korea DPR |
|
44 |
24 June - 20:30 |
Group E |
|
Cameroon |
Background |
Netherlands |
|
56 |
29 June - 20:30 |
Round of 16 |
|
1H |
- |
2G |
|
59 |
03 July - 16:00 |
Quarter-finals |
|
W52 |
- |
W51 |
|
61 |
06 July - 20:30 |
Semi-finals |
|
W58 |
- |
W57 |
|