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.
As a National we don't aim to disappoint.
What will it be like?
Noisy, colourful and enthusiastic! This is the first time a FIFA World Cup will be held on
African soil. A soccer-loving nation, South Africa is also excited to be the host of its first
international event of this magnitude. Don’t expect Germany, don’t expect Barcelona - this is
Africa, where energy, spontaneity and hospitality are the cornerstones of society.
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.
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 were upgraded, with Soccer City - venue of the opening and final match - underwent a
major upgrade. The other five stadiums were 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.
- 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 built a new stadium for the 2010 World Cup in the suburb of Greenpoint, 500 metres
from the Atlantic Ocean with Table Mountain as a backdrop. The stadium will seat 68,000.
- 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.
- 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.
- Nearest airport: OR Tambo 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.
- 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.
- Nearest airport: Bloemfontein Airport
- World Cup stadium: Vodacom Park
- World Cup matches: five 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
What games are being played in Cape Town?
Group matches to be played in Cape Town
- 11th June - 8.30pm: Uruguay v France
- 14th June - 8.30pm: Italy v Paraguay
- 18th June - 8.30pm: England v Algeria
- 21st June - 1.30pm: Portugal v Korea DPR
- 24th June - 8.30pm: Cameroon v Netherlands
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!
Are there flights available?
Again, it is advisable to sort yourself out as soon as possible. One South African carrier,
Mango, has publicly announced that it will not be hiking its fees during the World Cup.
Can I travel between games by car?
South Africa is a large country - at 1 221 040km² it is five times the size of Great
Britain. Unless an extensive road-trip is part of your plan, you would probably choose to fly.
Getting from Cape Town to Johannesburg is a 17-hour drive, while Durban to Johannesburg is
about 7 hours. On the plane, a Cape Town-Johannesburg haul is about 2 hours and a flip from
Durban to Johannesburg is about 50 minutes.
Will I know what to do when I get to the airport?
Cape Town International has just undergone a R3-billion upgrade. It has won Best Airport in
Africa seven years in a row at the World Travel Market. On arrival, passengers will enjoy a
swift automatic baggage sorting process, after which they will proceed to the Transport Plaza,
from where they will choose their preferred route and mode of transport. Cape Town’s bus,
coach, taxi and shuttle systems have all been extensively upgraded. The point-to-point rapid
bus system is on track for shuttling fans between the airport, city centre and stadium, and
the central Cape Town Station has received a technical and aesthetic face lift, extending into
a "park and ride" network that is designed to avert excess traffic on the roads.
Will there be transport between my hotel and the games?
Yes. Several point-to-point bus routes will be on offer, taxi fleets are on standby and a
reliable train service is available. The central city to the stadium area is largely
pedestrianised.
Will my money be any good?
Cape Town has a sophisticated banking infrastructure. Most retailers are equipped to handle
Visa and Master cards, and some accept American Express and Diners Club cards. Cash is king
but credit is safer. Beyond the city and in the rural areas of South Africa it is advisable
to carry some cash. Cash is also necessary for parking fees and tips.
What else can I do with my time in Cape Town?
Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with much to offer. As the 2010 World Cup takes place in
winter, fans should expect to take advantage of Cape Town’s excellent and diverse culinary
offerings. Five Cape Town restaurants feature on the S. Pellegrino World’s Top 100 Restaurants
list. Calamari at the Chapmans Peak was voted as "one of top 20 things to do in Cape Town".
From the winelands to the townships there are dining options that are unforgettable.
If shopping is on the agenda, you can choose between ingenious local craft, local youth-culture and design goodies, collectable art and fashion.
If you are interested in some adventure activity, Cape Town offers plenty. Rock climbing (indoors or out), walks, paragliding, horse-riding, shark cage diving and helicopter flips are just some of the adrenalin adjusters to help you work off the food and drink.
Winter is also the best time to surf and kite surf in Cape Town.
We would hope to see you in South Africa for FIFA World Cup 2010
