South African football venues
As officially announced on 17 March 2006, these are the prestigious South African football venues due to host the the games in this summer's tournament...
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Formerly known as the FNB Stadium, Soccer City is located next to the South African Football Association headquarters in the Soweto area of Johannesburg.
Soccer City is the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,700. Most of the largest football events in South Africa are played at Soccer City and it was also the site of Nelson Mandela's first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison.
Soccer City will hold the opening match, four more first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarter-final, and the final.
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was named after the former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party.
The stadium has a capacity of 70,000 and is adjacent to the Kings Park Stadium, in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct, and the Durban street circuit used for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Moses Mabhida Stadium will host five group matches, one second round match and a semi-final match.
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Newly built for this year's tournament, the stadium is has a capacity of 69,070 and is located in Green Point, between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Cape Town city centre, a popular tourist and shopping venue.
Cape Town Stadium will host five first round matches, one second round, one quarter-final and one semi-final.
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Ellis Park Stadium, also known as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in Johannesburg and was named after Mr J.D. Ellis who made the area for the stadium available.
It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, but today, the stadium hosts both football and rugby, as well as other large events.
Ellis Park will host five group matches, one second round match and one quarter-final.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Loftus Versfeld has a capacity of 51,762 and is an all seater venue. It recently hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final.
The stadium has hosted many musical events over the past few years including UB40 and Robbie Williams' Close Encounters Tour.
Loftus Versfeld stadium will host five group stage matches and one last sixteen match.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48000 seater, five-tier stadium in Port Elizabeth.
It was built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city and is one of three coastal stadiums built for this summer's tournament but it also regularly hosts large scale football and rugby matches and on ocassions, music concerts.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host five group games, as well as a last sixteen match, a quarterfinal and the 3rd/4th playoff.
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
The Free State Stadium, also known as Vodacom Park, has a capacity of 48000 and is home to the Free State Cheetahs and the Central Cheetahs rugby teams and Bloemfontein Celtic football team.
The stadium was one of the venues for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and will host five group matches and one last sixteen match.
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
The Peter Mokaba Stadium is a soccer stadium in Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg), South Africa and has a a capacity of 46000.
It was named for Peter Mokaba, a former leader of the ANC Youth League and is located 5 kilometers from the city centre, just east of the existing Pietersburg Stadium.
Peter Mokaba Stadium will host four group matches.
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Mbombela Stadium is a new 43500 seater stadium and is located on open land six kilometers west of Nelspruit, South Africa.
The signature feature of the stadium is the 18 roof supports that resemble giraffes, very fitting considering that the stadium is extremely close to the Kruger National Park.
Mbombela Stadium will host four group matches.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is a rugby union, football and athletics stadium in Phokeng near Rustenburg, South Africa.
The capacity of the stadium was increased from 38,000 to 42,000 specifically for this year's football. As well as the main west stand being substantially upgraded and enlarged and given a new cantilever roof.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium will host five first round matches and one second round match.