Name: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Built: 2009
Cost: $270 million
Capacity: 48,000
Home to: Bay United, Southern Kings (possibly)
WORLD CUP MATCHES
June 12, South Korea vs. Greece
June 15, Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
June 18, Germany vs. Serbia
June 21, Chile vs. Switzerland
June 23, Slovenia vs. England
June 26, Round of 16 match
July 2, Quarterfinal match
July 10, Third-place match
Trivia: One of its first major test events was the coveted Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
VENUE INFORMATION
In a nation that reveres rugby, a dedicated soccer stadium,
the first in the region, is a huge step forward for the game in
South Africa.
The Nelson Mandela stadium is one of the newly contructed venues for the 2010 World Cup, and it offers a unique rooftop that makes it unmistakable.
Resting on the shores of North End Lake, the stadium offers up fantastic views of the surrounding region.
CITY INFORMATION
Located in the Eastern Cape Province, Port Elizabeth is a
major port city and home to countless pristine beaches that attract
tourists from all over the world. Named the ‘Friendly
City,’ this major South African destination is home to just
under a million inhabitants.
HISTORY
British settlers arrived in Port Elizabeth in 1820. The
acting governor of the Cape Colony at the time, Sir Rufane, named
the settlement after his late wife Elizabeth. But in 2000, in honor
of South African statesman Nelson Mandela, the city was renamed
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth.
ACCOMODATION
Just 25 miles outside of Port Elizabeth, famous Ado National
Park offers tourists one of the best wildlife packages in all of
Africa, giving adventure lovers the opportunity to get up close and
personal with elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos, and even
whales and Great White sharks off the coast. The city itself offers
some wonderful ocean side attractions, the most glamorous being
Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World.
Open 24 hours a day, this bustling destination offers tourists top class restaurants and shops, along with extensive gaming opportunities for those that like to gamble. Historically, Port Elizabeth offers a special glimpse into the region’s rich cultural past. The best way to experience it? Embark along the popular Donkin Heritage Walking Trail, which encompasses 47 places of historic interest, many of them magnificent Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
