World Cup Stadium Guide

Monday 15th February 2010

Back in May 2004, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that South Africa would host the 2010 World Cup. This will be the first time the World Cup has been hosted by an African nation, with South Africa beating Morocco and Egypt to the world's premier football event.

With some FIFA executives questioning the planning, organisation and pace of preparation the venues were receiving, Sepp Blatter has always remained confident that South Africa would deliver. Fine combing over the grounds and venues it looks like Sepp Blatter might, just this once, be right. Here is a list of the venues where the 32 teams will compete for footballs biggest prize;

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Johannesburg: Soccer City
Capacity: 94'900
The Soccer City Stadium is the centre-piece for the 19th World Cup Finals. The opening game on 11th June between South Africa and Mexico will take place here, as will the final on July 11th. Soccer City is located to the Southwest of Johannesburg and has been built resembling a calabash which is an African type pot, central to African Cultures. The original stadium was known as the FNB holding 80'000 but during extensive renovations and a whole new upper tier its maximum capacity is 94'900.

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Durban: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Capacity: 70'000
This newly built Moses stadium will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and epitomises the architectural innovation on display in South Africa. The two legs on the arch come together over the pitch to form one leg running down the other side to symbolise the unity of a once divided country. The ground has been designed as a multi-purpose venue and sits in the heart of the Kingston Park Sporting Precinct in Durban. The 70'000 capacity stadium will be full on the 13th June for its opening game with Germany playing Australia.

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Cape Town: Green Point Stadium
Capacity: 69'070
Sitting at the foot of the Cape Town Mountains and a stone throw from the ocean this newly built 69'070 seated stadium is located in the most sought after area of the city. Green Point Stadium will be the second stadium to host a semi-final game and its opening fixture is between Uruguay and France on 11th June. The stadium is within close proximity to the centre of Cape Town therefore fans will benefit from being near the central hub of transportation for the city.

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Johannesburg: Ellis Park Stadium
Capacity: 62'567
Located in the centre of Johannesburg, The Ellis Park Stadium has hosted many epic sporting events including the final of the Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States. Before the Confederation Cup the stadium underwent a face-lift adding a further 5'000 seats in preparation for the forthcoming tournaments. The stadium is home to the Orlando Pirates FC and its opening fixture is between Argentina and Nigeria on 12th June.

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Pretoria: Lotus Versfield Stadium
Capacity: 51'760
The Lotus Versfield Stadium is one of the oldest in South Africa. Used regularly for both Rugby and Football matches, its opening fixture will see Serbia take on Ghana on the 13th June. Home to the Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, it also houses one of the country's top rugby teams the Blue Bells. It has received perennial upgrades since the day it was built and its maximum capacity is now nearly 52'000.

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Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Capacity: 48'000
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host the third place playoff game, and a quarter final amid a total of 8 games throughout the World Cup. The ground is situated in picturesque surroundings sitting on the shores of North End Lake and is the first football dedicated ground in the city of Port Elizabeth and surrounding area. The 48'000 capacity stadium will see Korea Republic and Greece kick off their proceedings on 12th June.

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Bloemfontein: Free State Stadium
Capacity: 48'000
The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein was upgraded from a capacity of 38'000 to 48'000 in time for the Confederations Cup and with the World Cup in mind. The Bloemfontein's natives are renowned for their passion of sport, so when their tournament kicks off with Japan playing Cameroon on 14th June you can be sure there will be a great atmosphere around the city.

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Polokwane: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Capacity: 46'000
Another newly built stadium for the World Cup, the Peter Mokaba Stadium has replaced the old ground on the same site and is the most northern of all stadiums. English football fans may be interested to hear Chelsea striker Didier Drogba made his debut for the Ivory Coast in a 2-1 loss to South Africa in an African Nations Qualifier back in 2002. The ground is found 5km from the city centre and has a total capacity of 46'000. Algeria and Slovenia will play its opening fixture of 4 Group games on the 13th June.

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Nelspruit: Mbombela Stadium
Capacity: 43'500
The Mbombela Stadium is a new build stadia located in the local municipality which incorporates the city of Nelspruit. The ground is situated 7 km from the city centre and 12 km from the nearby Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. Fans travelling to the area will be able to see local wildlife as the ground is in close proximity to various game parks. Its opening fixture is Honduras v Chile and the 43'500 capacity stadium will be full on the 16th June witness its first fixture.

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Rustenburg: Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Capacity: 42'000
The Royal Bafokeng Stadium is a 42'000 capacity stadium and takes its name from the local Bafokeng people. The ground is located 10 miles outside Rustenburg in a village called Phokeng and was built in a saddle shape to reflect its natural surroundings. Sun City is only 25 minutes by road and the ground benefits from only being a 30 minute drive from the Pilansberg Game Reserve. The opening fixture here will be of interest to many as England take on the United Sates on 12th June.

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