Soccer City Stadium

Soccer City Stadium was initially built in 1987 and has undergone an extensive renovation prior to the 2010 World Cup. Over 205 million Euro were spent to update the stadium in seating capacity, appearance and in transportation ease.

The football specific stadium now has a capacity of 94,700 spectators and in homage to its South African roots the exterior of the stadium was redesigned to resemble an African cooking pot called a calabash. The stadium will be encircled by a ring of red lights to simulate fire underneath the pot which should be especially dramatic since the tournament is during long winter nights.

The offices of the South African Football Association are housed in the immediate vicinity and every detail of the just completed renovation was given immense consideration. Many of the most important matches will be played here: the opening match, four first round matches, one second round match, one quarter final and the final.

Historical significance plays into this stadium as well. The first mass rally for Nelson Mandela after his release from prison was held here in 1990. The South Africans also beat the Tunisian team in this stadium to win the African Cup of Nations here in 1996, 2-0.

To be ready for the immense influx of World Cup fans the highway to the stadium and the parking capacity were both expanded during the renovation. Fanzones and public viewing points for the tournament will be in place in Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Soweto and Innes Free Park in Sandton and Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown. Park & Ride/Walk sites are located throughout Johannesburg for the World Cup at Marks Park in Emmarentia, Bezuidenhout, Wits West Campus at Wits University and Park near Ellis Park Stadium and Montecasino in Fourways. There is also a railway station right next to the stadium.