In preparation for millions of football fans descending on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, there was a call for world-class stadiums in which games could be played. Thanks to the existing rugby and soccer culture here, there were a number of existing stadiums that could be revamped to accommodate this international event. However, in other major host cities, new stadiums needed to be built.

"In Africa, soccer enjoys great popularity and has a particular place in the hearts of people. This is why it is so important that the Fifa World Cup will for the first time ever be hosted on the African continent in 2010. We feel privileged and humbled that South Africa have been given the singular honour of being that African host country."Nelson Mandela.

Five of the existing stadiums underwent dramatic renovations, transforming them into modern facilities that were amply equipped to welcome the games and the fans. These were Soccer City Stadium (Johannesburg), Ellis Park Stadium (Johannesburg), Loftus Versveld Stadium (Pretoria), Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenburg) and Free State Stadium Stadium (Bloemfontein).

In other cities, brand new stadiums were built (or rebuilt), gracing the skyline and adding a new dimension to the tourist offering of these epicentres. These were Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit), Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth), Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane), Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban) and Cape Town Stadium (Cape Town).

New and revamped stadiums now boast comfortable facilities that are professionally and efficiently managed. They are frequently used for soccer matches, rugby games, and other events (including music concerts). This kind of facility renewal goes a long way in ensuring that South Africa is on the world map as a veritable tourist and sporting destination.

The Final 10 Stadiums

Green Point Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Cape Town
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ event, the Cape Town Stadium was known as Green Point Stadium. However, it was renamed after the event. It was constructed on the site of the original Green Point Stadium. For the purposes of this international event...

Moses Mabhida Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Durban
Durban is one of South Africa’s most significant metropolises, and the proud home of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Named after one of the most dedicated freedom fighters of the apartheid regime, this has been voted the most popular...

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Port Elizabeth
The province of the Eastern Cape had never had a world-class football stadium before the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was constructed here for the 2010 World Cup. This stadium was designed to resemble a massive flower, with petal-like panels...

Mbombela Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Nelspruit
Mpumalanga’s Mbombela Stadium is a true reflection of all things South Africa, and a real treat for international sports fans to visit. This unique stadium is situated just outside Nelspruit and was constructed for the 2010 Event, which saw...

Ellis Park Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Johannesburg
Although the Ellis Park Stadium was already a regular host of major sports matches (having first been constructed in 1928), it underwent a major renovation to accommodate the millions of international players and fans that came to South Africa...

Soccer City Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Johannesburg
Soccer City goes by various other names, the best known of which are the FNB Stadium and The Calabash (after its iconic shape). This stadium, situated in Nasrec, near Johannesburg’s Soweto Township, hosted the opening and final matches of...

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Pretoria
Home to the Sundowns Football Club and the Blue Bulls rugby team, Loftus Versfeld received a welcomed revamp and renovation in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, hosted by South Africa. It was built decades ago, and has seen a number of...

Free State Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Bloemfontein
The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein was originally built for the Rugby World Cup of 1995. Then, it was revamped to host a number of matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Its current tenants include the Central Cheetahs, the Free State Cheetahs...

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Rustenburg
Formally known as the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, this stadium is situated in Rustenburg, which is a charming town at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range in the North West Province. This stadium was first built in 1999, but underwent...

Peter Mokaba Stadium

Overnight? Accommodation in Polokwane
Polokwane is the capital city of Limpopo, and the proud home of the Peter Mokaba Stadium. This is one of the five stadiums that needed to be constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. It was built next to the old Peter Mokaba Stadium and was...

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