17 May 2010
Not all fans will be able to get their hands on coveted 2010 Fifa World Cup™ tickets, but they’ll still be able to experience the biggest soccer extravaganza in Africa at live Fan Fests – official public viewing events – in all nine host cities.
Millions of fans are expected to watch the matches live and experience the unique World Cup ambience in these outdoor areas. Entrance to the Fifa Fan Fest™ is free, with all 64 matches to be broadcast on giant screens in a safe and secure environment.
Fan fests in Gauteng
In Johannesburg, close to Alexandra township and the Sandton central business district, lies Innes Free Park, the venue for the Sandton Fan Fest. This park, with its rolling grass and water features, will provide a picturesque location for the event, with the Sandton skyline as a backdrop.
Soweto soccer fans will watch all World Cup matches at the Rockville Fan Fest at Elkah Stadium. The venue is conveniently located next to the Thokoza Park station of Johannesburg’s new bus rapid transit system. Up to 40 000 people can be hosted at Elkah Stadium.
In Pretoria, fans will be able to watch all matches at the Centurion Cricket Ground, located just outside the city’s central business district. With both seating and standing options, fans will be able to view all the games on the 50 square metre screen, with entertainment between games.
Cape Town’s Fan Walk
In Cape Town, the Grand Parade will host all soccer lovers. It is situated at the heart of the city and has undergone extensive upgrades in preparation for the tournament.
Getting to the Fan Fest will be easy, with the overhauled Cape Town Station just a few hundred metres from the venue. Or through the Fan Walk, which stretches from the Cape Town Stadium through the centre of Cape Town to the Grand Parade.
Fan Fest on the beach
Durban’s Fan Fest is the only one in South Africa situated on the beach – and with the city’s all-year round warm weather, fans will be in for a real feast. The Moses Mabhida Stadium is also within walking distance from the Fan Fest.
In the Free State, the Fan Fest will be located at the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre in the township of Rocklands, 15 minutes from the Bloemfontein city centre.
Within the venue, five-a-side football pitches will be available and fans will be able to get to and from the Fan Fest on a dedicated shuttle that runs from the centre of town.
In Mpumalanga, Bergvlam High School will host all soccer lovers. It’s located just outside the Nelspruit city centre. Ample parking spaces will be available within walking distance of the Fan Fest, with the city providing alternative transport arrangements to ensure that people are able to move between the stadium and the fan fest with ease.
In the Eastern Cape, the Port Elizabeth fan fest will be based at St Georges Park – the oldest park in the city and the site of the second-oldest cricket stadium in the country.
Soccer fans will be able to get to and from the stadium on shuttle buses, or will be able to drive there and park in secure parking areas within walking distance from the venue.
Hospitality packages
In Limpopo, the Polokwane Fan Fest will be based at the city’s 107-year-old cricket club situated a short distance from the new Peter Mokaba Stadium. There will be both seating and standing options, with great views of the giant screens. Hospitality packages will also be available for those who wish to enjoy a more exclusive viewing experience.
In the North West, the Fan Fest will be based at Fields College in Rustenburg, a short distance from the city centre. With a capacity of more than 20 000 people, the venue will be able to cater for those of you who aren’t lucky enough to get your hands on one of the elusive match tickets.
Both parking and alternative transport arrangements will be in place to ensure easy access to the on¬site festivities.
Official public viewing events
Official public viewings events were first launched by Fifa at the 2006 World Cup, when more than 18-million fans gathered at the 12 official events, transforming Germany into one of the greatest fan parties of all time.
Apart from the South African host cities, Berlin, London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney are also locations for the official public viewing events of football’s flagship tournament.
In South Africa, the Fan Fests will be organised by the host cities together with Fifa and the Local Organising Committee, with the international Fan Fest cities and Fifa taking responsibility for the international events.
SAinfo reporter and BuaNews
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