City Event Guides

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 100^th 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.

Sporting events for the 2010 Winter Games are divided among four locations, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler.The sporting events held in Vancouver include ice hockey, curling, figure skating, short track speed skating. The town of Richmond will host long track speed skating. Richmond is located 9 miles south of Vancouver. West Vancouver will host the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard including the popular Aerials and snowboards Halfpipe. The remaining sporting events at Whistler are alpine skiing, Nordic sports (cross country skiing, ski jumping, and biathlon), sliding sports (bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton).

By going to the 2010 Olympics Winter Games, you will not only get to witness some of the very best in the world of sports, but you will get to see beautiful Vancouver.A combination of mountains and waterways surround the city.It is a lively metropolis with many attractions and entertainment.Popular nearby sites include Shannon Falls, Stanley Park, Granville Island, and more.This is a spectacular opportunity, so don’t forget to make your reservations for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver!

In the summer of 1894, the first modern Olympic Games were held, and the event has been growing strong ever since.Skating became one of the sporting events in 1908.Although it was possible to keep the ice rinks cold enough, it seemed more logical to hold this winter sport during the season of winter.This lead to the creation of the first Olympic Winter Games, held in 1924 in Charmonix, France.That original game involved 247 male athletes and 11 women, coming from 16 different nations to compete in 16 events.For the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, there will be an estimated 2, 500 athletes from over 80 countries coming to compete in 90 events.All athletes are competing to win the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Founder Pierre de Coubertin made the Olympic Games not only concentrated on sports, but also on the culture of the host country.His purpose in creating the Olympic Movement was to have peace, education, understanding, and unity to be a part of this worldwide event.The cultural Olympiad will be displaying a variety of arts, music, dance, theatre, literacy, street entertainment, and more.Thirty venues will be featuring the Arts Festival, set up in Vancouver and Whistler with some ticketed and free events.The mission of 2010 Olympic Games is “to touch the soul of the nation” which is sure to explore Vancouver and all of its culture.This movement has brought more cultural awareness, as well as providing more to view, inform, and entertain.

A huge attraction that is expected to attract nearly 55,000 viewers is the Opening Ceremony.It’s a spectacle that will marvel every viewer.During this ceremony, the gathering of countries is recognized and appreciated.The opening ceremony is a way of welcoming and setting a positive atmosphere for the games to begin.Equally exciting is the closing ceremony.To conclude the games, the closing ceremony honors all of the athletes, volunteers, and the host community.The 2010 ceremonies in Vancouver will be the first to be held indoors at BC Place Stadium which will allow for greater effects with lighting, screen projection, and sound.

There is a great deal of preparation that goes into the Olympic Games.Construction began as early as 2005 for sites of the events (before the previous Olympic Games had even taken place).Around 25,000 volunteers are recruited to help with bringing all of the elements of this enormous event together.

Observation teams visited the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino and are scheduled to view the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, allowing them to gain knowledge of how the event is organized.Also, there are numerous sponsors that make this event possible.

Another tradition and celebration of the Olympic event is honored through the Torch Relay.It takes place over 100 days with 12,000 torchbearers covering 25,000 kilometers over 13 provinces and territories.

Athletes from all over the world come together to compete in the winter games, and their time outside of the games is spent in training for these types of events.Winning an Olympic medal is a dream come true for many Olympiads, but being a part of the Olympic Games is an honor of its own.At the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, the country to win the most medals was Germany and the United States came in second.Join in on the 2014 Winter Games to witness the most outstanding athletes in the world, and see who goes home with the gold, silver, and bronze at your favorite sporting events.

The tickets for the 2010 Winter Olympics Games go on sale 12 – 18 months prior to the start date on the 12^th of February.

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.

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.

In the summer of 1894, the first modern Olympic Games were held, and the event has been growing strong ever since.Skating became one of the sporting events in 1908.Although it was possible to keep the ice rinks cold enough, it seemed more logical to hold this winter sport during the season of winter.This lead to the creation of the first Olympic Winter Games, held in 1924 in Charmonix, France.That original game involved 247 male athletes and 11 women, coming from 16 different nations to compete in 16 events.

Founder Pierre de Coubertin made the Olympic Games not only concentrated on sports, but also on the culture of the host country.His purpose in creating the Olympic Movement was to have peace, education, understanding, and unity to be a part of this worldwide event.The cultural Olympiad will be displaying a variety of arts, music, dance, theatre, literacy, street entertainment, and more.

A huge attraction is the Opening Ceremony.It’s a spectacle that will marvel every viewer.During this ceremony, the gathering of countries is recognized and appreciated.The opening ceremony is a way of welcoming and setting a positive atmosphere for the games to begin.Equally exciting is the closing ceremony.To conclude the games, the closing ceremony honors all of the athletes, volunteers, and the host community.

There is a great deal of preparation that goes into the Olympic Games.Construction began as early as 2005 for sites of the events (before the previous Olympic Games had even taken place).Around 25,000 volunteers are recruited to help with bringing all of the elements of this enormous event together.

Another tradition and celebration of the Olympic event is honored through the Torch Relay. It takes place over 100 days with 12,000 torchbearers covering 25,000 kilometers over 13 provinces and territories.

Athletes from all over the world come together to compete in the winter games, and their time outside of the games is spent in training for these types of events.Winning an Olympic medal is a dream come true for many Olympiads, but being a part of the Olympic Games is an honor of its own.

Choose where you want to stay with a Sports Traveler racing package, and see Atlanta for yourself. Take a walk through the Centennial Olympic Park, which was the cornerstone of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Special events are hosted here throughout the year and the memorial to the Olympic bombings is a must-visit attraction. The King center is a tribute to legendary civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, and it offers tours throughout the year, and still provides active community service in the Atlanta metro area. Atlanta also boasts one of the top aquariums in the world, and features numerous large sea mammals and exotic fish.

Before you get to the track, make sure to watch Smokey and the Bandit II, as the movie’s opening scene takes place at the speedway. So come on down to "Hotlanta" for some hot auto action, just in time for the racing season to kick into full gear.

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 history buff attending the World Cup.

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.

Boston has one of the greatest sports venue attractions, Fenway Park. Fenway is the oldest, most historic stadium in the United States that is still in use today. The stadium was built in 1912 and is home to the Boston Red Sox.  A greatly desired area of seating is known as the Green Monster as the seats are alongside the 37 foot tall green wall at left field. Right handed hitters are likely to hit near this target area. With the greatness of the Red Sox paired with the significance of the stadium, every Red Sox home game has been sold out since May 15, 2003.

The nearby suburb, Foxborough is the home location of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.  The “Pats,” as the team is commonly referred to, changed their name from the Boston Patriots when they moved to Foxborough.  The stadium is shared with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.

TD Garden is the stadium for the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Celtics have won seventeen championships which is more than any other NBA team. The Bruins have been in existence since 1924 and are a part of the Original Six teams (with the others being the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Chicago Blackhawks).

A yearly event that is heavily attending and very popular is the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest marathon. On Patriot’s Day in April, this 26.2 mile marathon takes place from Hopkinton to Copley Square. Another major event held annually in the city is the Head of the Charles Regatta rowing competition on the Charles River.

Bristol Sharpie 500 --- Bristol Motor Speedway

As the Chase for the Championship begins to take shape the NASCAR season takes you to Bristol, Tennessee and one of the most exciting racetracks this country has to offer. Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the shortest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, checking in at only one half of a mile. Don’t be turned off by slower speeds, as Bristol’s bumper-to-bumper action makes this race possibly the most exciting of the NASCAR schedule.  With banked turns reaching up to 36 degrees, Bristol stakes its claim as the fastest of all of NASCARs short tracks.

Bristol straddles the state line between Tennessee and Virginia, and serves as a quaint home to 25,000 Volunteer state residents. Officially recognized as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Bristol offers travelers the chance to visit the site where artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Uncle Charlie Osborne, as well as the Carter family all got their start. Their work and the work of many others is showcased at the Cultural Heritage Center, which also holds musical performances throughout the year.

As you take in the race, impress your friends with this bit of trivia: Bristol Motor Speedway is the largest amphitheatre in the world. The completely enclosed venue seats 165,000 fans, which creates an atmosphere that is recognized throughout the racing world as one of the most electric in the country.  Early in his career, Jeff Gordon dominated on this track, but recently Kurt Busch has been the man to catch, winning five races in all at this track since 2002. One thing is certain; a race at Bristol is a unique and unforgettable experience, see for yourself at this year’s Bristol Sharpie 500.

Bristol Food City 500 - Bristol Motor Speedway

About the 2008 Food City 500:
"Racin' the way it ought'a be" is the slogan that this 1/2 miles bull ring with 36 degree banking known as Bristol Motor Speedway uses. The shortest track with the highest banking makes for exciting racing. Join us for our Spring Bristol Bash at Bristol Motor Speedway to understand why it is the most popular racing facility.

Travel information to the Bristol, TN Area:

The Bristol Motor Speedway is located in the heart of the in the Appalachian foothills in eastern Tennessee, about six miles south of the Virginia border. The track is 115 miles east of Knoxville, and 160 miles west of Winston-Salem, NC.

Unless you are planning on camping, Sports Traveler recommends the purchase of a race ticket and hotel travel package as all available hotel room space in the Bristol area is sold out year's in advance. Hotel and travel packages include Bristol tickets, hotel accommodations in the area, track transfers (bus transportation to and from the hotel and track), as well as optional track tours and VIP hospitality.

California Auto Club 500 -- Fontana, California

Come down to sunny southern California to enjoy NASCAR’s west coast premiere. The Auto Club Speedway in Fontana is a modern super speedway which houses two NASCAR events annually as well as numerous other racing events. Located just 40 miles outside of Los Angeles, Fontana is perfectly nestled in California’s valley region and makes for the perfect end of February get-away.

The 2-mile oval shaped track provides fans with 250 laps of excitement on its low-banked corners. A seating capacity of nearly 92,000 allows this race to house racing fans from all over the west coast and beyond. Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson’s have fared well here, each has won multiple NASCAR races at the Auto Club Speedway.

If you’re worried about parking, have no fear as your Sports Traveler expedition will accommodate all of your needs. Included in your trip are Sprint Cup race tickets, a hotel stay of customizable length, transfers to and from all of the weekend’s activities, tickets to the Nationwide Cup race, commemorative ticket holders, programs, and more. Come discover the end of winter escape that you deserve by booking a trip to the Auto Club 500 today.

Cape Town (Green Point 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.

Green Point Stadium is a new stadium being constructed for the 2010 World Cup. It replaces an older 18,000 seat structure also known as Green Point Stadium. Originally dubbed African Renaissance Stadium, Green Point Stadium will be able to seat 68,000 World Cup fans. It is 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.

Chicago, Illinois ----

No matter what sport you’re into, Chicago has what you want. One of the greatest sports cities in the world is now in the international spotlight, as it is a candidate city to host the 2016 Summer Games! From NFL Football to NASCAR, this city is loaded with everything a sports fan could ever want. Not only does Chicago have some of the most historic and legendary sports franchises, but the event venues are in a league of their own.

Soldier Field

Serving as a memorial to American soldiers who lost their lives in war, Soldier Field is rich in history. Originally built in 1924, Soldier Field has been host to a variety of events including the 1927 Dempsey-Tunney boxing match, 1994 FIFA World Cup matches, religious events, and various concerts. Serving as the home of the Chicago Bears since 1971, it has been host to many memorable football games including 3 NFC Championship games.

Soldier Field also played host to the infamous "Fog Bowl", which was held on December, 31st, 1988. The NFC Divisional playoff game was between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. The game was impacted greatly by a dense fog, and reduced visibility down to less than 20 yards. The Bears won the game 20-12 and advanced to the NFC Championship, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the San Francisco 49ers.

Following the 2001 NFL season, the $600 million renovations on Soldier Field began. The renovations were controversial because of the history of the stadium, and many felt the original stadium should be kept in tact. Many referred to the Soldier Field renovations as "the mistake by the lake." On September 29, 2003, "new soldier field" opened its doors. The first game at the newly renovated stadium was a Monday Night Football contest, between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. Despite its strange exterior, the interior of the stadium has been an overwhelming favorite among fans. The New York Times ranked New Soldier Field as one of the top five new buildings of 2003.

Soldier Field is located on Museum Campus Drive, right off Lake Shore Drive. This location adds to the atmosphere of the stadium, as it is in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Wrigley Field

One of the most recognizable venues in the United States, Wrigley Field has been then home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Located in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, the area around the stadium has an abundance of bars, and restaurants, which fans typically refer to as "Wrigleyville".

Wrigley Field was built in 1914, and was originally called Weeghman Field, which was built for the Federal League team, the Chicago Whales. In 1916, the park became the home to the Chicago Cubs, and was renamed Cubs Park, which lasted until 1927 when Cubs owner, William Wrigley Jr. renamed the park "Wrigley Field". Wrigley Field was also the home of the Chicago Bears from 1921-1970, before moving to Soldier Field.

Throughout the years, Wrigley Field has had major renovations, including: adding a 2nd deck for the grandstands, adding bleachers to the stadium, and planting the now famous Boston Ivy in 1937. In addition, after a long battle with residents of the Lakeview are, Wrigley Field added lights to the stadium in 1988, when they played their first home night game.Wrigley Field is a must see for any sports fan, and is one of baseball's greatest landmarks.

U.S. Cellular Field

U.S. Cellular Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox was opened in 1991. The park was originally named (New) Comiskey Park, a tribute to original Comiskey Park, which opened in 1910. The park changed its name to U.S. Cellular Field in 2003, when U.S. Cellular bought the naming rights. Also in 2003, U.S. Cellular Field was the host to the MLB All-Star Game. "The Cell" as it is often referred to, is located on 35th street and Shields Avenue, in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood.

U.S. Cellular Field was built in the parking lot of old Comiskey Park, which was torn down to build a parking lot for the new stadium. Due to complaints from fans, U.S. Cellular Field has had many renovations since 2001. These renovations include building a multi-tiered concourse beyond center field, adjusting the fences to make the outfield less symmetrical and, most significantly, the removal of over 6,000 seats in the upper deck. In recent years the White Sox have also added murals to the interior concourses, a prominent feature of the old stadium.

The stadium houses 84 luxury suites, as well as thousands of "club seats" on the 300-level mezzanine between the lower deck and upper deck. The club seats receive in-seat wait-staff and benefit from an enclosed concourse with multiple television viewing areas and bar-style concessions. After the most recent renovations, the stadium capacity was reduced to 40,615.

United Center

In addition to these fantastic outdoor venues, Chicago is also home to the largest indoor arena in the United States. The United Center is the home of both the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL and the 6 time NBA Champion Chicago Bulls. The United Center first opened in August of 1994. It seats 20,500 (not including standing room) for hockey, 21,711 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts.

It is commonly referred to as "The UC" or "The house that Jordan built." Before the UC was built, it's predecessor was the Chicago Stadium, which was extremely popular among sports fans, because of the amount of noise that was generated inside the arena, mostly at hockey games. This reputation gave the Chicago Stadium the nickname "The Madhouse on Madison."

One of the trademarks of the Chicago Stadium was the legendary sound of the Barton Organ. During hockey season, a replica of the Barton Organ, the Allen Organ is still used to duplicate the sound of the Chicago Stadium.

A major attraction at the United Center, is the now famous Michael Jordan statue. The statue is located on the east side of the arena and features Michael Jordan's classic pose. On the opposite side of the arena, a Chicago Blackhawks statue featuring hall of fame left wing Bobby Hull can also be seen. The United Center is located on Madison St. in the near west side of Chicago.

One of the greatest experiences in professional sports is the national anthem at a Chicago Blackhawks game. A Tradition among Blackhawks fans that began in 1985, where fans cheer loudly throughout the entirety of the Anthem. The National Anthem helps create one of the best atmospheres in all professional sports, and gives the Blackhawks one of the best home-ice advantages in all of the NHL.

Other Points of Interest

Chicago also has auto racing fans covered. The Chicagoland Speedway is home to many auto races throughout the year, including both IndyCar and NASCAR races. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the Chicagoland Speedway is home to the Lifelock.com 400.This Sprint Cup race is typically held in early to mid July.

Chicago’s public transit system makes traveling to Chicago a breeze. Every major sports venue in the city is easily accessible via the CTA train system. Soldier Field is within walking distance of the Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green line stop; Wrigley Field can be found steps away from the Red Line Addison stop; U.S. Cellular field is minutes away from the Red Line Sox-35th stop; and the United Center is a block away from the Blue Line Illinois Medical District stop.

View Chicago IL Travel Packages

Cowboys Stadium -- Arlington, Texas --- Dallas Cowboys

The 2009/2010 season is the first season for the Dallas Cowboys to play at the new Cowboys Stadium, located in Arlington, Texas. Up to 80,000 fans can be accommodated, with the option for expanding to hold 100,000. Starting in 2009, Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies will face off in an annual rivalry game at the new stadium. Additionally, the Cotton Bowl will be held there annually.

Texas Stadium had been home to the Cowboys since 1971 which was trademarked for the hole in the roof. Now, the Cowboys new home stadium has a retractable roof with glass doors allowing each end zone to be opened, and a center-hung video display board which is rumored to be the largest HDTV in the world. The construction cost of the new stadium is estimated at $1 Billion, which will make it one of the most expensive sporting venues ever built. The new stadium is scheduled to host Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

A great attraction in Dallas, Texas is the sports teams.  The NBA Dallas Mavericks and NHL Dallas Stars play at the American Airlines Center near downtown Dallas.  The new Cowboys Stadium is nearby in Arlington.  The 2009/2010 season is the first season for the Dallas Cowboys to play at the new Cowboys Stadium. Up to 80,000 fans can be accommodated, with the option for expanding to hold 100,000. Starting in 2009, Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies will face off in an annual rivalry game at the new stadium. Additionally, the Cotton Bowl will be held there annually.  The new stadium is also scheduled to host Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

The 2010 NBA All Star Rookie Game and All Star Saturday Night game will be held at American Airlines Center while the All Star Game is being held at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.  Another venue in Arlington is Rangers Ballpark which is home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers.  If you are interested in seeing a NASCAR race, travel over to Fort Worth, TX to visit the Texas Motor Speedway for the Dickies 500 and Samsung 500 races. 

Aside from the all the sporting events, there is also a number of museums such as the Six Floor Museum (an exhibit of the life and death of John F. Kennedy) and the Dallas Museum of Art.  Six Flags over Texas and the Dallas Zoo are other locations for entertainment. 

“The Great American Race” kicks off the NASCAR series each year in February.It is the biggest, most prominent stock car race in the nation.NASCAR (the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) has grown over the years and gained popularity from all over the United States.The biggest race comes first in NASCAR.This is a unique quality in sports, but the Daytona 500 gets the race fans revved up and ready for the season by starting off with a bang.All the racers start off with all of their energy at this big event.

This event is fast paced, with drivers traveling around 200 mph.There is nonstop action which creates great entertainment and excitement for all spectators.It all started because of a man known as “Big Bill” France.France was a mechanic who not only worked on cars, but loved to race them.In 1955 he presented the idea of constructing the Daytona Beach Motor Speedway.The first official Daytona 500 race was held not long after that in 1959.

Of all NASCAR races, this is the one with the best location, Daytona Beach.Not only do you get to experience the best race, but you get a view of the ocean, palm trees, and everything else that beautiful Daytona has to offer.

Come to see who crosses the finish line first to become the next Daytona 500 winner!

2010 Daytona 500 packagesare available for stay in the Daytona Beach area or the Orlando area.

Packages with lodging in the Daytona Beach Area are perfect to enjoy the beach and the race. Tours include great Daytona 500 tickets, quality accommodations, track transfers to the race, plus additional options including Pit Pass Tours and Driver Appearances.Many enjoy the Pre-Race pass which allows fans to walk across the track surface and onto Pit Road, plus gives a viewing of the garage area where teams are staging their cars prior to the race.If you are interested in getting a little bit of history of previous races, then the Daytona 500 Experience (previously Daytona USA) is right for you!The museum highlights past winners and record holders, along with much more.Hospitality tents are great for entertaining with NASCAR celebrity appearances, games, door prizes, and food and drink provided.

Other packages have similar features except with hotel accommodations in the Orlando Area. These packages are perfect for anyone who wants to combine their tour with a trip to Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Studios!

To see some of the greatest professional sports teams, visit Detroit to watch the NFL’s Detroit Lions, NBA’s Detroit Pistons, MLB’s Detroit Tigers, and the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.

Located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, Ford Field is home to the NFL’s Detroit Lions, and has played host to some of the major sporting events in the world. Since its opening in 2002, Ford Field has hosted Super Bowl XL, the regional rounds of the 2008 NCAA College Basketball Tournament, and is the annual home to the Motor City Bowl. In addition, Ford Field hosted the 2009 NCAA Final Four and will host the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four. Ford Field has a standard seating capacity of 65,000 and can be expanded up to 70,000 for football games and 80,000 for basketball games.

Located across the street from Ford Field is Comerica Park, home to the Detroit Tigers. Around the park are nine tiger statues. The two tigers on top of the scoreboard have eyes that light up after a Tigers home run or victory, along with the sound of tiger's roar. Inside the stadium concourse are statues of players whose numbers have been retired by the Tigers, and names of Hall of Fame players that spent most of their careers with the Tigers are on a wall in left center field. A special honor goes to Hall of Fame right fielder Al Kaline with "Kaline's Corner" seating area. For additional entertainment, there is a Ferris wheel behind the stands with baseball designed carts.

Another major venue for Detroit is Joe Louis Arena where Detroit Red Wings play.It is one of the oldest venues in the NHL. The Red Wings have won four Stanley Cup Championships at the Joe Louis Arena. Just outside of the city, the Pistons play in the suburb of Auburn Hills at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Just after the stadium opened, the Piston's ended their 1988-89 season with a NBA Championship victory.

Detroit is also know for being the headquarters of the auto industry with about four thousand factories in the area. The most notable companies based in Detroit include General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.

Durban (Moses Mabhida 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.

Moses Mabhida Stadium (named after the former leader of ) 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, Moses Mabhida 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.

Ford Field --- Detroit, Michigan ---

Georgia Dome -- Atlanta, Georgia ---

Located in Atlanta, GA, the Georgia Dome is home to the Atlanta Falcons and is one of the largest domed structures in the world. Built in 1992, the Georgia Dome was at the time, the largest domed structure in the world. It lost this title in 1999 when the Millennium Dome opened in London. The Georgia Dome has a maximum capacity of just over 71,000, and it can be expanded to over 75,000 for special events. In addition to serving as home to the Atlanta Falcons, the Georgia Dome is also the annual home to the SEC Championship, the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and hosts various concerts and other non-sporting events throughout the year.

Jacksonville Municipal Stadium – Jacksonville, FL --

Along side of the St. Johns River sits the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in downtown Jacksonville, FL. The primary use of the stadium is for the Jacksonville Jaguars with the capacity to hold nearly 77,000 fans. Portions of the stadium were constructed with parts of the historic Gator Bowl Stadium. After some renovations occurred, the Municipal Stadium reopened and debuted as the home to the new Jaguars team in 1995. It was the first time that an expansion NFL team had played its first game in a new facility.

Landshark Stadium (formerly Dolphin Stadium) is one of the most prestigious venues in all of sports. The stadium was built in 1987, and was originally called Joe Robbie Stadium, after the primary private sponsor for the stadium. It was designed with the hopes to be used as a baseball stadium as well, for a possible expansion franchise to the Miami area. These hopes were realized in 1991 when Florida was awarded the expansion Marlins, who began play in 1993. The maximum seating capacity of Landshark Stadium is just over 76,000 for football, and just over 38,000 for baseball, as a large number of seats are not used in the upper deck of the stadium.

In addition to serving as home to the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Marlins, Landshark Stadium has been the host of various Super Bowls and World Series. Both the 1997 and 2003 World Series, along with four Super Bowls took place at Landshark Stadium. The stadium is also geared up to host the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV and 2010 Pro Bowl. Additionally, it is the current location for the Orange Bowl of the Bowl Championship Series

Make sure you are not missing out on the excitement of your favorite teams playing for the ultimate championship.  Super Bowl Trip reservations are encouraged to be made well in advance for this ultimate football fantasy vacation. This is the day that all football fans have been waiting for!

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway located minutes outside of famous Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the largest sporting venues in the world as it holds over 142,000 people. You can be sure that all these seats will be filled for the Las Vegas 427. Jimmie Johnson has dominated this race in recent years winning three times in a row between 2005 and 2007.

The speedway underwent massive redevelopment before the 2007 race adding many concourse amenities and providing fans with a faster track featuring “progressive banking,” a breakthrough in track engineering that allows for more exciting neck and neck racing action.

Sports Traveler offers packages placing fans along the Las Vegas strip in including marquee names such as The Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor, and more. These packages include all of your transportation from these hotels to NASCAR’s Sprint and Nationwide series races. With customizable stays in Las Vegas and the option to add features such as driver appearances, Neon Garage passes, prime seating upgrades, and much more.

What are you waiting for? Book your vacation to Las Vegas for the Shelby 427 today!

Lincoln Financial Field -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ---

Martinsville Speedway – Subway 500 ---

Come and check out the sixth race in NASCAR’s Chase for the Championship series, the Martinsville Tums Fast Relief 500. Martinsville is a short track, in fact, at only .526 miles around it is the smallest track used on the NASCAR circuit. Martinsville is one of the oldest raceways in use, as it was built in 1947. The Speedway boasts a seating capacity of 65,000, and is expecting a 20,000 seat upgrade to be completed within the next few years. With only half a mile of race track and twelve turns, racing at Martinsville is always a close competition with cars stacked on top of each other.

Martinsville has a rich history. It was founded in the 18^th century as a strategic barracks point for American revolutionaries. It gained economic autonomy when the DuPont Corporation built a chemical manufacturing plant there in 1928. Famous for its furniture building, Martinsville has moved into the 21^st century gracefully as it is now home to numerous technological development firms.

The city’s two NASCAR races are the highlights of the year, as the whole city gets out to celebrate. Jeff Gordon has won six races at the track since 1997, and is always a favorite on the short track of Martinsville. At the race choose between three different hospitality options. The Pepsi, Bud and Home Depot hospitality sections of the racetrack offer appearances including Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, and Tony Stewart. Martinsville is one of the most historic tracks on the NASCAR circuit, so come on down and see for yourself this October!

Martinsville has a rich history. It was founded in the 18^th century as a strategic barracks point for American revolutionaries. It gained economic autonomy when the DuPont Corporation built a chemical manufacturing plant there in 1928. Famous for its furniture building, Martinsville has moved into the 21^st century gracefully as it is now home to numerous technological development firms.

The city’s two NASCAR races are the highlights of the year, as the whole city gets out to celebrate. Jeff Gordon has won six races at the track since 1997, and is always a favorite on the short track of Martinsville. At the race choose between three different hospitality options. The Pepsi, Bud and Home Depot hospitality sections of the racetrack offer appearances including Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, and Tony Stewart. Martinsville is one of the most historic tracks on the NASCAR circuit, so come on down and see for yourself this spring!

While touring in Augusta Georgia, be sure to visit the Augusta Museum of History and their exibit on past Masters Champions. Feel like playing golf instead of watching? With more than 10 major prestigious golf courses to visit, Augusta has become one of the most desired and exciting places for all golfers to vacation.Some include The River Golf Club, Persimmon Hill, Houndslake Country Club, Cedar Creek Golf Club, CoopersCreek and more.

Do sit in the bleachers at Amen Corner (11,12) where you can see both tee offs and putting or sit by 15, 16, 17. Right after the golfers finish up their rounds on Practice Rounds and Tournament Rounds, they usually head to the driving range behind the main clubhouse to hit a bucket of balls. Watch them tee it up and work on their swings with their coaches from the bleachers and rest your feet.

Remember ladies, measure your purse before going in (must be 10″W x 5″H x 5″D). If it’s too big, you will have to check it.

Banned items at the Course: No cell phones, no pagers. Remember camera’s are ok on practice round days.

Many of the major sports teams in Miami play at the stadium that has been recently renamed to Landshark Stadium, formerly Dolphin Stadium. In addition to serving as home to the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Marlins, Landshark Stadium has been the host of various Super Bowls and World Series. Both the 1997 and 2003 World Series, along with four Super Bowls took place at Landshark Stadium. The stadium is also geared up to host the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV and 2010 Pro Bowl. Additionally, it is the current location for the Orange Bowl of the Bowl Championship Series

The sports teams and events in Miami don't stop there. Other Miami sports teams include the Miami Heat and the Florida Panthers. The Miami Heat plays at the American Airlines Arena and was the winner of the 2006 NBA Finals. Home for the Panthers is the BankAtlantic Center, just outside of Miami in Sunrise, FL. Miami is also the location for the NASCAR Championship Weekend, the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. This race is relatively new, first taking place in 1999 and added to the Championship Weekend in 2002. The Chase for the Championship comes to an end during this race weekend. Another event that takes place in the Miami area is the Sony Ericsson Open. This is an annual tennis tournament for men and women held at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, FL.

Aside from sports, Miami has many great entertainment venues. The Florida Grand Opera is the second largest performing arts center in the United States where numerous operas, concerts, ballets, and musicals take place. The city is know for being very fashion forward with some of the top modeling agencies in the world and is host to many fashion shows. Downtown is home to several museums and parks as well.

New Orleans is a city that has plenty to offer. It is home to the New Orleans Saints of the NFL and the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. The Saints’ home stadium has been the Louisiana Superdome since 1975 except for during the 2005 season when the stadium could not be used due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Instead the team had to alternate between using the Alamodome and Tiger Stadium, but then returned to the Superdome in 2006 after a $185 million renovation.

The Louisiana Superdome has been host to many major events such as the Super Bowl (yet New Orleans is one of five NFL teams that have not played in the Super Bowl) and the Final Four. Also, the Sugar Bowl takes place there annually.

For the New Orleans Hornets basketball games, the New Orleans Arena is used. Other event in the area that have smaller crowd capacity also use this arena. This team is fairly new to New Orleans, after being relocated from North Carolina in the 2001/2002 season.

Entertainment can be found on the lively Bourbon Street. Also popular is the historic, famous French Quarter. There are also a number of art museums including the Contemporary Arts Center, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Just about nine miles northwest of downtown Phoenix is Glendale AZ, where the University of Phoenix Stadium is located. This venue is home to several great sports teams and sporting events. The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play their home games at this stadium, as well as the Fiesta Bowl taking place there annually. Events that were hosted at the University of Phoenix in past years include Super Bowl XLII and the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. The University of Phoenix Stadium is located next door to the Jobing.com Arena, the home of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.

This stadium opened on August 1, 2006 after 3 years of construction. The seating capacity for University of Phoenix Stadium is 63,400 and it can be expandable to 73,719. University of Phoenix Stadium features some of the most recent developments in technology. Many stadiums built today feature retractable roofs, but University of Phoenix Stadium took this technology one step further. The stadium features a retractable field. This allows for the stadium to have a natural grass playing field that grows outside and is then moved into the stadium on game days. The retractable roof of the stadium is made out of translucent "Bird-Air" fabric and opens in twelve minutes. It is the first retractable roof ever built on an incline.

The home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns is the US Airways Center. Also, located close by is Chase Field where the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks play.  With such favorable weather conditions during the spring, fourteen major league teams conduct their spring training in the area.

The Phoenix International Raceway is the venue for the Phoenix Checker Auto Parts 500 race in November and for the Phoenix Subway Fresh Fit race in April.  Another raceway nearby is the Firebird International Raceway, a venue for boat racing, drag racing, and road course racing.  

The activities and entertainment in the Phoenix – Glendale area are endless. Aside from the  various sporting events, there are several music venues, the Heard Museum and Phoenix Art Museum, a developing downtown art scene, and the largest number of parks and recreation areas.  Another attraction highlighted by the Jobing.com Arena (across from University of Phoenix Stadium) is the Westgate City Center which is a great mixed-use development with shops and entertainment.  Take a Sports Traveler trip to Phoenix and experience all the area for yourself!

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.

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.

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. This city is easy to reach, as it is located only 30 miles north of Johannesburg

Soccer has been played at the site of Loftus 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.

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.