About the Games
South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup June 11 – July 11, 2010. There are 10 venues in nine cities that will host 32 national teams, including South Africa. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Johannesburg.
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One of the most artistic soccer 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™.
The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium will host one of the semi-finals of the World Cup. The ground epitomizes 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, symbolizing the new unity of a once-divided country.
Ellis Park Stadium is located in the center of Johannesburg and has hosted many epic sporting events including the final game 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, an increase of 9 percent.
Soccer City Stadium (Johannesburg) one of the most awe-inspiring soccer venues on the African continent, will host the first and final matches of the 2010 World Cup.
The ground's newly-reconstructed design is inspired by the iconic African pot known as the calabash, and its aesthetic appeal will be heightened when the stadium is lit at night. Soccer City Stadium is located in southwest Johannesburg and is only a short distance from one of the country's soccer-crazy township, Soweto. About 40 percent of Johannesburg's population lives in Soweto and this proximity is bound to make the stadium a hub of activity throughout the 2010 finals.
Home to some of the country's most fanatical sports fans, the Free State Stadium is expected to be the center of attention during the World Cup. The stadium was given a fresh new look for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, with capacity upgraded from 38,000 to 45,000.
The Free State Stadium, located in Johannesburg, 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.
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is the first soccer-dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. The stadium, newly-built for the World Cup, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the games – a major milestone for the city.
The stadium will host the match for third place, and a quarter-final amid a total of eight matches during the World Cup. The stadium has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake.
The Mbombela Stadium is one of the newly-built stadiums for the World Cup and it takes its name from the local municipality that incorporates the city of Nelspruit. Mbombela is siSwati (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa) and literally means “many people together in a small space.”
Named after one of the renowned sons of the struggle and emancipation of South Africa against the apartheid regime, the Peter Mokaba Stadium holds much historical significance in South Africa. Peter Mokaba was born and raised in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and inpirational leadership.
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, which seats 44,530, is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area. In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal battle, which entitled them to 20 percent of the platinum mined on their historical land. Hence, they have shares in platinum mining in the area.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, situated in Tshwane/ Pretoria, is one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. The stadium site has been used for major sporting events since 1906. The first concrete stadium was erected there by the City Council of Pretoria in 1923. Originally, it could accommodate only 2,000 spectators.
Since 1948, the stadium has undergone perennial upgrades, and currently it has a seating capacity of 50,000. It has been used for both rugby and soccer matches and is home to one of the country's top rugby teams, the Blue Bulls.