FIFA 2010 SOUTHAFRICA: South Africa football Stadiums

South Africa world cup football Stadiums

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Loftus Versfeld in May 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup stadiums A general view of the Loftus Versfeld Stadium prior to the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 match between USA and Italy.

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.

Since 1948 it has undergone perennial upgrades. It has been used for both rugby and football matches and is home to one of the country's top rugby teams, the Blue Bulls. Loftus Versfeld is in the heart of Tshwane/Pretoria and currently has a seating capacity of 50,000. It has hosted many significant matches including during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1996 CAF African Cup of Nations. It is now used by Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United as their home ground.

South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana, achieved its first ever victory over a European side at this venue when they beat Sweden 1-0 in 1999.

Date - Time	Stage		Results
13 June - 16:00	Group D	Serbia	-	Ghana
16 June - 20:30	Group A	South Africa	-	Uruguay
19 June - 20:30	Group E	Cameroon	-	Denmark
23 June - 16:00	Group C	USA	-	Algeria
25 June - 20:30	Group H	Chile	-	Spain
29 June - 16:00	Round of 16	1F	-	2E

Mbombela Stadium

Mbombela stadium, near the Kruger National Park, will host a number of opening round games during the 2010 FIFA World Cup A general view as construction on the Mbombela Soccer Stadium is completed

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.'

The stadium, with a capacity of 46,000, is located in the city of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga Province. It is situated approximately seven kilometers from the city centre and 12 kilometers from the nearby Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport. The ground also enjoys a close proximity to various game parks, giving spectators the opportunity to see the wildlife during rest days.

The Mbombela comes as a welcome addition to football life in Nelspruit, and will leave a legacy of the beautiful game for all the people of Mpumalanga. Before the Stadium's construction, Nelspruit had no top football venue to host international matches.

Date - Time	Stage		Results
16 June - 13:30	Group H	Honduras	-	Chile
20 June - 16:00	Group F	Italy	-	New Zealand
23 June - 20:30	Group D	Australia	-	Serbia
25 June - 16:00	Group G	Korea DPR	-	Côte d'Ivoire

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Royal Bafokeng stadium in June 2009 The sun sets behind the Royal Bafokeng Stadium before the start of the highliy anticipated South Africa - New Zealand match. A General view of the outside of Royal Bafokeng Stadium

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.

In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal battle, which entitled them to 20% on the platinum which is mined on their historical land. Hence, they have shares in platinum mining in the area. Upon completion, the stadium will seat 42,000.

The South African national team played a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Bakino Faso in 2001, and won 2-1. It has been host to many Premier Soccer League games despite Rustenburg not having its own team.

The stadium is only a 25 minute drive to Sun City and 30 minutes to the Pilansberg. It is 12 kilometers from the Rustenburg city centre.

Date - Time	Stage		Results
12 June - 20:30	Group C	England	-	USA
15 June - 13:30	Group F	New Zealand	-	Slovakia
19 June - 16:00	Group D	Ghana	-	Australia
22 June - 16:00	Group A	Mexico	-	Uruguay
24 June - 20:30	Group E	Denmark	-	Japan
26 June - 20:30	Round of 16	1C	-	2D

Peter Mokaba Stadium

Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane will host four matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup

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 inpirational leadership.

The design of the largely concrete structure is inspired by the locally iconic Baobab tree, with the steel structure supporting the roof plane gathered together at each corner of the stadium and supported by giant ‘trunk' structures which accommodate vertical circulation ramps and service cores.

The stadium was built next to the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province. The newly-built Peter Mokaba stadium is situated approximately 5km from the city centre, with a total seating capacity of 45,000.

Former African player of the Year, Didier Drogba made his international debut for Côte d'Ivoire in a memorable and decisive CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium, with the home side prevailing 2-1.

Date - Time	Stage		Results
13 June - 13:30	Group C	Algeria	-	Slovenia
17 June - 20:30	Group A	France	-	Mexico
22 June - 20:30	Group B	Greece	-	Argentina
24 June - 16:00	Group F	Paraguay	-	New Zealand