The newly built Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is the first football dedicated stadium in Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas. Before the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium, all international football matches scheduled for Port Elizabeth were played at the Eastern Province Rugby Stadium. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is situated close to the picturesque North End Lake in the heart of the city.
The unique roof of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was specially designed to withstand the high wind speeds found in Port Elizabeth. The roof is made up of a series of white “petals”, thus resembling a flower. This is the reason for the stadium’s nickname, The Sunflower. The playing surface of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is made of natural grass, while the areas surrounding the pitch consist of artificial turf. State-of-the-art technology as well as two big screens further enhances the appearance of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 with a further 4,000 seats to be installed for the duration of the 2010 Soccer Finals. A number of private boxes, VIP suites, business suites, a sports clothing shop, a gymnasium, as well as lecture and function rooms will all be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host five first round matches, a second round match, a quarter final, as well as the third-place playoff match.
Games scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium:
12 June 2010
Match: Korea Republic vs Greece
Time: 16:00
15 June 2010
Match: Ivory Coast vs Portugal
Time: 16:00
18 June 2010
Match: Germany vs Serbia
Time: 13:30
21 June 2010
Match: Chile vs Switzerland
Time: 16:00
23 June 2010
Match: Slovenia vs England
Time: 16:00
26 June 2010
Match: Winner A vs Runner up B
Time: 16:00
02 July 2010
Match: Winner 5 vs Winner 7
Time: 16:00
10 July 2010
Match: Loser 1 vs Loser 2
Time: 20:30
This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper. It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one. Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels. It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.
