The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa, the first time
the tournament will be staged on the African continent.
South Africa controversially and narrowly lost out in the vote
to hold the 2006 World Cup but
ran out comfortable winners in the bid for 2010 over its African
rivals in the FIFA vote in 2004.
South Africa successfully staged (and won) the 1995 Rugby World
Cup and hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup (won by Australia).
Tickets will go on sale in several phases. The first round of tickets
for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa went on sale in February
2009.
The 32 participating member football associations will be offered
12% of the purchasable tickets for the group matches and approximately
8% in the knockout phases.
All prices for World Cup tickets are in USD. Category 4 (15%) is
reserved for South African residents and will be sold exclusively
in the local currency - South African Rand (ZAR).
The complete list of 10 stadiums in 9 host cities
for the 2010 World Cup has been decided. The host cities are:
Bloemfontein
- capital of Free State Province, located in central South Africa.
The present modern rugby / soccer stadium, situated in a pleasant
area close to the city center, is being further upgraded.
Cape
Town - capital of Western Cape Province, and the legislative
capital of South Africa. One of the world's most beautiful cities
set at the foot of Table Mountain on the ocean.
Durban
- largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa's major port. A
surfing and holiday center on the north east coast.
Groundwork has started on the new stadium which is also expected
to host a semi final and hold 68,000 spectators.
The stadium is close to a beach holiday area and within 5 kms of
the CBD, so there will be a variety of accommodation options available.
Johannesburg
- capital of Gauteng Province and South Africa's largest city and
major business and gold mining center.
Nelspruit
- capital of Mpumalanga Province and a major agricultural center.
Gateway to Kruger National Park. Construction work has commenced
on the new stadium. Accommodation in the city or in any of the extensive
"camps" in the park.
Polokwane
- capital of Limpopo Province, 1300m above sea level. Small city
3 hours north of Pretoria and also close to wild life parks. New
stadium to be built.
Port
Elizabeth - located in Eastern Cape Province on the east
coast, a major port. Work has already started on the new stadium,
which is close to the city center and the ocean.
Proposed venue for the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Rustenburg
- small, provincial city located North West Province in northern
South Africa, close to the Rustenburg Nature Reserve.
New stadium, work expected to start shortly.
Pretoria
- located in Gauteng Province, close to Johannesburg and the executive
capital of South Africa. Utilising present modern 65,000 capacity
rugby stadium - Loftus Versfield.
Second round matches will take place in: Cape Town, Johannesburg,
Durban, Pretoria, Rustenberg, Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein
Quarter final matches in: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth
Semi final matches in: Cape Town, Durban
Third place play off: Port Elizabeth
Final (and opening game) - Soccer City, Johannesburg
Stadiums
The complete list of 10 stadiums in 9 host cities for the 2010
World Cup has been decided. The stadiums are:
Green Point Stadium
aka African Renaissance Stadium (Cape Town), 70,000 capacity. A
new stadium will be constructed with a retractable roof.
Coca-Cola Park
Stadium aka Ellis Park (Johannesburg), 60,000 capacity.
Upgrading of South Africa's premier Rugby stadium located in the
center of the city.
Free State Stadium
(Bloemfontein), 40,000 capacity. Renovation of a 1950s stadium
Moses Madhiba Stadium
(Durban), 70,000 capacity. A new stadium will be constructed replacing
King's Park Stadium.
Loftus Versfeld
(Pretoria). 50,000 capacity. Renovation of an existing stadium.
Mbombela Stadium
(Nelspruit), 40,000 capacity. A new stadium will be constructed.
Royal Bakokeng Stadium
(Rustenburg), 40,000 capacity. Renovation of an existing stadium.
Soccer City (Johannesburg)
94,700 capacity. Renovation of an existing stadium, on the western
edge of the city where the opening game and final will be played.
New stadium with construction underway. South Africa's equivalent
of "Wembley".
Get to know the Rainbow Nation: beer, history, images, languages,
people, security, sex, sport, surfing, ubuntu, wine. South Africa
from Afrikaans to Jacob Zuma.
The
design for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Poster was unveiled
in November 2007. The winning design by South African design agency
Switch features an outline of the African continent in the shape
of an African soccer player heading a ball.
The simple but powerful poster has a bright yellow background,
which symbolizes the sun and the warmth of Africa. The colors of
the South African flag: red, green, blue, black, white and yellow
are also present in the design. Order your poster now!