The Five First-Round Cities

This post takes a look at the five hot cities hosting only first-round matches during the World Cup.

Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Polokwane and Rustenburg are all at high altitude. The first three could be bitterly cold at night during the tournament although Rustenburg has mild, sunny, southern hemisphere winters. Nelspruit is in the hot, dry lowveldt and should be comfortable.

Most of the World Cup managers are thought to be planning training camps around Pretoria, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg to prepare their players for the thinner air.

First round venues for 2010 World Cup
Independent Online
November 30, 2009

Transit Bogged Down During Confederations Cup

Transportation in the four host cities of the Confederations Cup has been a challenge due to crowds and delays in the development of public transit systems.

Johannesburg was supposed to have a new rapid bus system in place for the Confederations Cup, but the all-powerful minibus taxi industry, fearing for its market share, put the brakes on the project. The first phase of the bus-rapid-transit (BRT) is now only due for completion by September.

Confed Cup still dogged by transport difficulties
Mail & Guardian
June 19, 2009

Security Buffer Zone Spreads Around Stadia

Security concerns related to South Africa's high rate of violent crime have caused police and FIFA officials to create a 1KM-radius security zone around stadia used in the Confederations Cup. Anyone trying to get into the stadia will pass through a metal detector. Assigned seating is also seen as a security move, mainly to protect spectators from overcrowding.

The assigned seating is meant to prevent overcrowding or the risk of a stampede and, unlike at local matches, nobody without a ticket is allowed to enter the stadium grounds.

About 8 000 police officers are deployed for the Confederations Cup, which is also being hosted in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg.

SA tightens security around Confed stadiums
Independent Online
June 17, 2009

Bloemfontein Satdium Upgrade Complete

The upgraded stadium in Bloemfontein is now ready for the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup, according to local officials. The renovation cost roughly $35 million.

The Free State stadium, which would become the home ground of the Cheetahs as well as Celtic, was upgraded from a seating capacity of 38 000 to 46 000.

It now has 100 private suites with 200 seats as well as a VIP suite which was upgraded to 650 seats. Other upgrades include a bigger media centre, parking and security features.

The chief executive officer of Mangaung 2010, George Mohlakoane, said the upgrades cost R315.5 million, while some R325 million was allocated.

The rest of the money would be used to do considerable upgrades at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium, which would be a training venue for 2010.

Source:
Bloemfontein stadium ready for Confeds Cup
Sapa
March 26, 2009