Guide To The South African Stadiums
With the South African World Cup looming on us, I have produced a guide for all of those fans heading out next summer.
Soccer City Stadium
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Opened: 1989
Renovated & Expanded: 2009
Owner: The Stadia and Soccer Development Trust
Operator: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Architect: Boogertman & Partners
Capacity: 94,700
One of the most artistic and awe-inspiring football venues on the African continent, the newly-reconstructed Soccer City Stadium will host the first and host the opening match, four more first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarter-final, and the final of the world cup.
Green Point Stadium
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Owner: City of Cape Town
Operator: SAIL/Stade de France
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R4.3 billion
Architect: GMP Architects, Louis Karol Architects, Point Architects
Capacity: 70,000
Field dimensions: 290m x 265 m x 48m
The green point stadium is one of the most artistic football venues in South Africa world cup line up. The newly-built Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the World Cup.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Location: Durban, South Africa
Broke ground: 2006
Opened: 2009
Owner: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 70,000+
Field dimensions: 320m x 280m x 45m, Arches: 100m
The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA 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.
Coca-Cola Park
Former name: Ellis Park Stadium
Location: Ellis Park Stadium Doornfontein, Johannesburg,
Broke ground: 1927
Opened: 1928
Owner: The Golden Lions Rugby Union
Operator: Ellis Park Stadium Pty.
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: £5,000 GBP
Capacity: 62,567
Ellis Park Stadium is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has hosted many epic sporting events including the final 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, increasing its capacity by almost nine per cent from the previous 57,000.
Free State Stadium
Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa
Owner: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: $1,450 USD
Capacity: 45,000
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.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Broke ground: 2007
Opened: 2009
Owner: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality
Operator: Access Facilities and Leisure Management (Pty) Limited
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R 1.1 Billion
Architect: Architectural Design Associates
Capacity: 48 459
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.
Mbombela Stadium
Location: Nelspruit
Broke ground: February 2007
Owner: Mbombela Local Municipality
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R1.05 bill.
Architect: R&L Architects
Capacity: 43,500
The Mbombela Stadium is one of the newly-built stadia for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and it takes its name from the local municipality which 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.
Peter Mokaba Stadium
Location: Polokwane, South Africa
Opened: 2010
Capacity: 46,000
Cost: $154,000,000
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 bred in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and for his inspirational leadership.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Location: Phokeng, South Africa
Opened: 1999
Owner: Royal Bafokeng Nation
Capacity: 42,000
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Renovated: 2008
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 51,762
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, situated in Tshwane/ Pretoria, is one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. The stadium has been used for major sporting events since 1903, and the first concrete structure, which could accommodate only 2,000 spectators, was built by the City Council of Pretoria in 1923.
With Pictures http://sportspundit123.blogspot.com/2009/10/guide-to-south-african-stadiums.html
(c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc
