South Africa 2010 Soccer World Cup

In 2010, South Africa welcomed more than 3 million football fans from around the world to enjoy the planet's most popular sport being played by the top international teams. Football, also known as soccer, is a major part of South African culture - from the young boys that kick the ball around the informal settlements and rural villages to the professional sportsmen and -women that have made their mark on the world’s football scene.

This event extended from 1 June to 1 July 2010, and the final was between Spain (the victors) and the Netherlands. Spain scored the only goal in extra time, making the final score 1-0. Over the course of the entire World Cup™, 64 games were played and 145 goals scored.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ meant more to South Africa than this time-honoured sport, though. This event saw a massive rejuvenation of local resources and infrastructure, a cooperation amongst so many industries, to make it the best, most vibrant, and most efficient event of the century. As South Africans welcomed visitors and football fans from all over the globe, this country came alive with possibilities and united in the shared passion of a sport.

A number of stadiums were built or revamped throughout the country in preparation, and the host cities and stadiums of the games were:

South Africa 2010 Soccer World Cup 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...

Green Point Stadium

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...

Moses Mabhida Stadium

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...

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

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...

Mbombela Stadium

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...

Ellis Park Stadium

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...

Soccer City Stadium

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...

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

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...

Free State Stadium

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...

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

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...

Peter Mokaba Stadium