The 2010 Fifa World Cup will take place in South Africa. Whether you plan to be watching the games in a stadium or fan park on the southern tip of Africa, or on the screen back home, here's a collection of quick information on the tournament, and the host country, to help enhance your experience.
Has South Africa hosted big events before?
South Africa regularly hosts major international sporting events, and since 1994 has successfully managed some of the biggest - including the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup, the Women's World Cup of Golf (2005-08), and the only street race in the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport (2006-).
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But the Fifa Football World Cup, the world's biggest single-code sporting event - in terms of television audience, bigger than the Olympic Games - is in a class of its own.
For four weeks starting on 9 June 2010, South Africa will be the centre of the world. The 2006 World Cup in Germany was the most extensively viewed event in television history. South Africa 2010 will draw even bigger audiences. The eyes of billions of television viewers, millions of international visitors and the cream of the world's sporting media will be focused on the southern tip of Africa.
Who are Bafana Bafana?
Our national football team is known as Bafana Bafana - "the boys, the boys" in isiZulu. The nickname comes from the fans' cry that went up during the team's triumph at the 1996 African Nations Cup (also hosted in South Africa). Since the end of apartheid and South Africa's sporting isolation, Bafana Bafana have twice qualified - in 1998 and 2002 - for the Fifa World Cup.
What's a vuvuzela?!
Some would say it's South Africa's national musical instrument. It's a big plastic trumpet, brightly coloured, and is blown with gusto by all fans at every football match in the country. The sound it makes is something between the bellow of a constipated elephant and the buzzing of a giant swarm of baritone bees, but South Africans like it.
Will South Africa benefit from the World Cup?
It has been estimated that the 2010 Fifa World Cup will create some 129 000 jobs, contribute around R21-billion to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) and generate another R7.2-billion in government taxes, with around 350 000 visitors expected to spend some R9.8-billion in the country during the tournament.
However, the indirect spin-offs from improved perceptions abroad could have an even greater, longer-lasting impact, not only on South Africa and its development but on the continent as a whole. A successful World Cup will help change the perceptions that a large number of foreign investors hold of Africa.
Can I make use of the 2010 logo?
Only accredited Fifa partners and sponsors are allowed to use the 2010 Fifa World Cup logo in their publicity and advertising.
Where are the games being played?
2010 Fifa World Cup matches will be held in 10 stadiums: two in Johannesburg and one in each of the other eight host cities. Together, the 10 stadiums will host 64 matches and seat more than 570 000 people during the course of tournament. Five of the 10 are existing stadiums, which are being upgraded, with Soccer City - venue of the opening and final match - undergoing a major upgrade. The other five stadiums are being built from scratch.
Which cities are hosting matches?
Nine South African cities will stage the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Johannesburg
The economic hub of Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling, sprawling city of contrasts, spread across the small but densely populated province of Gauteng.
Johannesburg: quick profile
Nearest airport: OR Tambo International
World Cup stadiums: Soccer City and Ellis Park
World Cup matches: 10 first-round (including the opening) and two second-round matches, two quarterfinals and the final.
Cape Town
South Africa's oldest and loveliest city lies in Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, in the south of the Western Cape province. Beautiful buildings, the nearby winelands, long white beaches and a rich cultural life make Cape Town South Africa's most favoured tourist destination.
Cape Town: quick profile
Nearest airport: Cape Town International
World Cup stadium: Greenpoint Stadium
World Cup matches: five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarterfinal, one semifinal.
Durban
A warm subtropical place and the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is a major tourist destination with the busiest port in South Africa.
Durban: quick profile
Nearest airport: Durban International
World Cup stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium
World Cup matches: five first-round matches, one second-round match, one semifinal.
Pretoria
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa, lying north of Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng. Over 150 years old, it is a place of grand monuments, delightful architecture and lovely open spaces.
Pretoria: quick profile
Nearest airport: Durban International
World Cup stadium: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
World Cup matches: five first-round matches, one second-round match.
Port Elizabeth
Known as the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth lies in Nelson Mandela Bay on the windswept Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape province.
Port Elizabeth: quick profile
Nearest airport: Port Elizabeth Airport
World Cup stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
World Cup matches: five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarterfinal and the third-place playoff.
Bloemfontein
The former capital of a Boer republic and now capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein - the name means "flower fountain" - is a pretty city with thousands of rose bushes and some poignant memorials.
Bloemfontein: quick profile
Nearest airport: Bloemfontein Airport
World Cup stadium: Vodacom Park
World Cup matches: first-round matches, one second-round match.
Rustenburg
Its tranquil Jacaranda-lined streets belie the fact that the Rustenburg area in North West province is one of the world's most heavily mined regions, with a wealth of platinum underground.
Nearest airport: OR Tambo International
World Cup stadium: Royal Bafokeng Stadium
World Cup matches: four first-round matches, one second-round match.
Nelspruit
The capital of Mpumalanga province lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, about 330km east of Johannesburg.
Nearest airport: Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
World Cup stadium: Mbombela Stadium
World Cup matches: five first-round matches
Polokwane
The capital of Limpopo province is ideally situated near the border of the wildlife-rich, world-famous Kruger National Park.
Nearest airport: Polokwane International Airport
World Cup stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium
World Cup matches: four first-round matches
How many tickets will be available?
Some 3-million tickets will be available for the 2010 Fifa World Cup's 64 matches. One third, or a million, will be allocated to South African football fans, another million to international visitors, and the third million to sponsors, teams and the "Fifa family".
What time zone is South Africa in?
South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). During June and July - when the tournament will take place - South African time is the same as that in continental Europe, and an hour ahead of the UK. So matches that kick off at 9pm here will be comfortable viewing for Europeans, while US viewers will be taking a lot of early lunches - and Socceroo supporters will be starting their day at five in the morning!
What will the weather be like?
The World Cup will take place in the southern hemisphere winter - but it's warm here in Africa. Johannesburg will be dry, with sunny days and fairly chilly nights. Rustenburg, Pretoria and Nelspruit will be warmer, but Bloemfontein will be cold. Polokwane in the north will be dry and hot, warmer than most European summers. Durban will be pleasant and warm, with some humidity - and the deliciously balmy Indian Ocean to swim in. And while Cape Town is magnificent in good weather - and it can have good weather in winter - in June the city is generally cold, wet and windy, and its ocean icy cold!
How do I get around?
The host cities are all linked by air and train routes, and South Africa has a number of first-rate tour bus companies. The country's road infrastructure is excellent, so it's also a viable option to rent a car.
When it comes to travel within the cities, while South African public transport is not up to the standard of New York or London, there are options. The most popular form of public transport is the minibus taxi. By 2010 a massive taxi recapitalisation plan, currently under way, will have replaced most of the older vehicles with larger, safer minibuses. Most host cities have Metro train and bus systems, and there are numerous meter cab companies. Otherwise, you can rent a car or use your hotel's courtesy transport.
- Domestic flights in South Africa
- Driving in South Africa
- Buses and trains
Where do I stay?
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the Fifa inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including media representatives and fans from around the world." Other options are the many bed & breakfast establishments in and around the host cities, and over 150 backpacker lodges.
Hotels in South Africa
What if I fall ill?
"On the whole, the health system has excellent facilities and perhaps one of the best private health systems in the world, drawing on modern technology and highly qualified specialists and medical staff," the Fifa inspection team said in its report. "We have to add that there are fully equipped infirmaries with adequate first-aid facilities to meet every need in the stadiums proposed for the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
Health tips for travellers
Source: www.southafrica.info
