2010 World Cup Travel Guide -- South Africa
Event Dates; June 11, 2010 – July 11, 2010
Event Location: 10 Stadiums in 9 cities throughout South Africa
Come to South Africa in 2010, and experience the most popular sporting event the world has to offer. The world’s 32 best soccer playing nations will descend upon South Africa as it becomes the first African nation to host this incredible international tournament. The world was watching in July of 2006 when Italy beat France on penalty kicks in a game that would turn out to be just as famous for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt of Italian defender Marcello Materazzi. Italy goes into the 2010 World Cup as one of the favorites once again, along with other perennial powers Brazil, Argentina, England, South Korea, and Euro 2008 champion Spain. But there's much more to see than just the these stalwart clubs. The World Cup is famous for its upsets, every team in the field of 32 has a chance of winning. Join millions of other soccer fans from around the world, and show support for your native land at the once-in-a-lifetime experience that is FIFA World Cup soccer.
Of course, soccer is not all that should be on your agenda on your trip to this African nation. South Africa offers some of the largest national parks in the world, which are home to some of the most diverse and exotic animals. Kruger National Park is the largest of these national parks, covering a land mass roughly the size of the country of Wales. Spot exotic game such as cheetahs, lions, the rare white and black rhinoceros, and many more at this nature reserve.
Take a side trip to the Western Cape Province towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl and taste some of the finest wines the continent has to offer while taking in the lush countryside of southwest South Africa, with a climate comparable to the southern Mediterranean. If you’re feeling very adventurous South Africa offers surfing glorified the world over, offering pristine blue waves that tower above you.
The World Cup is about much more than the sport of soccer. The slogan for Germany 2006 was, “A place to make friends.” The World Cup is a unique opportunity to meet fellow passionate fans from nations all over the world, creating a unique environment. Even if you can’t catch every game, cities and towns will have jumbotrons set up to provide a gathering place for all the football fanatics. Also 2010 will be the celebration of South Africa’s 100th year as an independent nation. You can never say that you’ve lived a full and complete life until you’ve experienced at least once the excitement and passion that is the FIFA World Cup.
Information on cities that are hosting World Cup Matches:
Johannesburg (Soccer City)
Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa, with over 3,000,000 inhabitants. As the economic and financial hub of the country Johannesburg boasts an expansive downtown with an abundance of shopping centers, banks, and luxury hotels. Make sure to visit the Apartheid and Hector Pieterson Museums to gain a better understanding of South Africa’s dark past. Also, art museums such as the Museum Africa and the Johannesburg Art Gallery add to the city’s rich culture. The metro railway allows you to travel the city with ease, as well as connecting you to the city of Pretoria.
The Soccer City complex was built in 1987, and is newly upgraded for the 2010 World Cup. With an expanded seating capacity of up to 104,000 it is easily the largest stadium on the African continent. Its design is based off of traditional South African pottery, and will be home to the final, championship match scheduled for July 11, 2010. Other matches here include five first-round matches, one second-round match and one quarterfinal.
Johannesburg (Ellis Park Stadium)
Ellis Park Stadium is the other Johannesburg venue where World Cup matches will be held. Built in 1927, it will be the oldest venue in use during Cup play. Seating roughly 60,000, and located on the outskirts of downtown Johannesburg, the stadium fits snugly into the urban environment that is sure to be filled with fans from all over the world. Ellis Park will host 5 first-round matches, 1 second-round match, and 1 quarterfinal.
Cape Town (African Renaissance Stadium)
The oldest city in South Africa; formed in 1652 as a British colonial outpost. Cape Town is the third largest town in the country. Cape Town is a top tourist destination because of its overwhelming beauty. Much of the city is enclosed in an amphitheatre-like bowl, bordered by picturesque Table Mountain. Located on the eastern-most point of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town offers the visitor miles of beaches Cultural destinations include the Two Oceans Aquarium, which is a meeting of sea creatures from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans,. Be sure to make note of the architecture as you walk around town, the Cape Dutch style is unique to this area of the world.
African Renaissance Stadium is a new stadium being constructed for the 2010 World Cup. It replaces an older 18,000 seat Green Point Stadium. African Renaissance Stadium will be able to seat 68,000 World Cup fans. It will be located near the Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront, which is the city’s harbor. Ground was broken on this stadium in 2007 which will host 6 first-round matches, 1 second-round match. 1 quarterfinal, and one semifinal match.
Durban (King Senzangakhona Stadium)
Durban is the second largest city in South Africa, with a population of 3.2 million people. It is located along the southeastern coast, and is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Within Durban’s borders lies the busiest sea port in all of Africa. Durban is one of the top tourist destinations in South Africa thanks in large part to its tropical climate, and proximity to many beaches. While in Durban you’ll want to spend most of your time away from the pitch at the Golden Mile. This is a one mile stretch of luxurious beach property, aptly named for the golden-brown sand that dominates the land. Also found on the Golden Mile is one of the world’s largest aquariums/amusement parks, uShaka Marine World, which contains five different aquatic-based sections.
King Senzangakhona Stadium (named after King Shaka’s fathery) is a state-of-the-art stadium under currently under construction. Slated to open in 2009 for the World Cup’s predecessor, the Confederations Cup, Senzangakhona Stadium will be able to seat nearly 80,000 fans, and includes a to the gorgeous beach. The stadium will also contain a sporting museum, sports institute and a new transport station. It will host 6 first round matches, 1 second round match, and 1 semifinal.
Pretoria (Loftus Versfied Stadium)
Take in the sights and sounds of South Africa in the historic city of Pretoria. This bustling city of almost 2 million is renowned throughout the continent for its universities and academic culture. Learn the history of South Africa in museums such as the Transvaal Museum, Kruger House, and the Voortrekker Monument are all located here in the city that is full of war history.
Soccer has been played at the site of Louis Versfield Stadium since 1906. The stadium was built in the 1920s, and frequent upgrades have been made throughout its history. Minor upgrades are being instituted at the stadium currently. With a seating capacity of 45,000 Loftus Versfield will be ready for international play by early 2009, and will undoubtedly prove to be one of the most interesting venues South Africa has to offer in 2010. It will play host to 4 first round matches, and 1 second round match.
Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium)
Port Elizabeth is located on the southern coast of South Africa, between Cape Town and Durban. Located at the end of South Africa’s beautiful Garden Route, Port Elizabeth has miles of interesting coast waiting to be explored. Sandwiched between two mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean, the southern coast of South Africa offers some of the most beautiful scenery the continent has to offer. Make sure to visit the Donkin Reserve park and monument, and the King George XI Art Gallery, The ocean offers lush sand beaches, as well as the brand new Boardwalk waterfront complex, which offers numerous shops, restaurants and a great atmosphere to the World Cup fan.
The construction of Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is under way, and will be one of the most picturesque stadiums in use during the Cup. It will be situated along the coast of North End Lake in the heart of Port Elizabeth. It is a five tier structure which will seat around 48,000 people. It was the first of the five new stadiums to begin construction, and will play host to 5 first-round matches, 1 second-round match, 1 quarterfinal match, as well as the Third-Place game on July 10.
Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium)
This exciting small South African city of nearly 400,000 attracts visitors with its quaintness. In poems Bloemfontein has been called “the city of roses,” and in the South African indigenous language, Sesotho as, “Mangaung,” meaning place of cheetahs. Bloemfontein has a rich history as it was the former capital of colonial South Africa’s Orange Free State; today it serves as the judicial capitol of South Africa. Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa in the Karoo region. It was the birthplace and home to Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, and is the perfect destination for any World Cup fan history buff.
Free State Stadium was built in 1952 with a capacity of 35,000. Its upgrade for the 2010 World Cup was completed in June of 2007. This upgrade added a second-tier to the stadium, increasing capacity to nearly 50,000, also included in the upgrade was a new electronic scoreboard, a new sound system, and revamped flood lights. Free State Stadium will host 5 first-round matches and 1 second-round match.
Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium)
Nelspruit is a North-Eastern South African town, located on the Crocodile River. It is the starting point for most safaris to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in the country. Get an adventurous taste of the past at Dinosaur Park and cultural center, or go spelunking at the nearby Sudwala Caves. Also, explore the many hiking trails that make Nelspruit a South African destination for travelers of all sorts.
Mbombela Stadium is currently under construction in Nelspruit where it will serve as an international soccer venue for the 2010 World Cup. It is located seven miles north of Nelspruit’s town center. Because of Nelspruit’s close connection to the wildlife of South Africa the roof supports at Mbombela Stadium will resemble a giraffe. This will be the first international soccer venue in Nelspruit, and the state-of-the-art design will be sure to keep people coming back well after the World Cup leaves town. Mbombela Stadium will play host to 4 first-round matches.
Polokwane (Peter Mokaba Stadium)
Polokwane is the capitol of the Limpopo region of Northeast South Africa. It is a large, rural township with much of the population living in tribal districts and scattered urban settlements. This area is popular both for its cultural history as a land of myths and legends, and for its game viewing and hunting opportunities.
Peter Mokaba Stadium was built in 1976 with a capacity of 40,000 seats. It is getting a facelift for the World Cup. Before renovation Mokaba Stadium consisted of one main grandstand and three grass embankments for seating. The upgrade will place 20 rows of seating where the grass seating once stood. Mokaba Stadium will play host to 4 first-round matches.
Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium)
Rustenburg is located in the Northwest region of South Africa, nestled at the base of the Magaliesberg mountain range. Rustenburg boasts of great ecotourism opportunities as well as numerous cultural heritage sites, such as the Rustenburg Museum, which depicts local history and archeology. Rustenburg was recently cited as the fastest growing city in all of South Africa. Another interesting Rustenburg fact: it is home to the world’s two largest platinum mines, as well as the largest platinum refinery, therefore, 70% of the world’s platinum originates in Rustenburg.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium was originally constructed for the 1995 World Cup of Rugby, and has been well maintained up to the present-day. Minor upgrades and seat expansions have already been completed, making Royal Bafokeng a 42,000 seat venue. Only a 90 minute drive from Johannesburg, Rustenburg is a great early-round getaway, as it hosts 4 first-round matches and 1 second-round match.
