FNB Stadium
Encyclopedia
Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium for commercial purposes, is a stadium located in Nasrec
, the Soweto
area of Johannesburg
, South Africa
. It is located next to the South African Football Association
headquarters (SAFA House) where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup were housed. Designed as the main association football stadium for the World Cup, the FNB Stadium became the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,700, However its maximum capacity during the 2010 FIFA World Cup was 84,490 due to reserved seating for the press and other VIPs. The stadium is also known by its nickname "The Calabash
" due to its resemblance to the African pot
or gourd.
It was the site of Nelson Mandela's
first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison. It was also the site of Chris Hani
's funeral.
It was also the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final
, which was played by the Netherlands and Spain.
deal with First National Bank. However, the stadium was often referred to as Soccer City by fans and the media, including during the 1996 African Cup of Nations
.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, as well as in the month before the tournament, the stadium was referred to as Soccer City. This was done as FIFA
does not allow stadiums to be referred to by sponsored names during FIFA sanctioned tournaments.
. The South African main contractor GLTA, part of the Aveng Group in a joint venture with the Dutch company BAM
who had a 25% stake, constructed the upgrade, which was designed by the architects populous and Boogertman + Partners . The upgrade included: an extended upper tier around the stadium to increase the capacity to 88,958, an additional 2 executive suites, an encircling roof, new changing room facilities and new floodlights. The number of suites in the stadium was increased to 195. Grinaker-LTA and BAM international won the R
1.5 billion tender to upgrade the stadium. The construction was completed on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 and was marked by a huge celebration at the stadium.
The stands in Soccer City are articulated by ten black vertical lines; nine are aligned geographically with the nine other stadiums involved in the 2010 World Cup. Because 9 is considered to be an unlucky number in South African traditional culture, a tenth line was added. This tenth line is aimed at Berlin's Olympic Stadium
, which hosted the previous World Cup final in 2006. This represents the road to the final and it is hoped that after the World Cup, each goal scored at the stadium will be placed in pre-cast concrete panels on a podium so that the full history of the tournament’s scores can be seen for years to come.
both for friendlies and qualification matches. This has led to the stadium being seen as the de facto 'national stadium' for football.
The stadium has also hosted large continental club fixtures. It was the venue for the first leg of the 1995 African Cup of Champions Clubs final, between Orlando Pirates and ASEC Abidjan. The stadium has also hosted the CAF Super Cup
twice. It hosted the 1994 CAF Super Cup, between Zamalek and Al-Ahly
, as well as the 1996 CAF Super Cup between Orlando Pirates and JS Kabylie
. In 2004 the stadium hosted final of the Vodacom Challenge
, between AS Vita Club
and Kaizer Chiefs.
clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. It was also the traditional home of the Telkom Charity Cup
from 1990 to 2006, before it was closed for renovations. The Charity Cup then returned in 2010
. The stadium also hosted the 2010 Nedbank Cup final, South Africa's premier football cup, this was the stadium's first event since re-opening. The first league match at the stadium since being rebuilt, was a 2010-11 Premier Soccer League match between Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars
. The first MTN 8
match at the stadium was the first leg of the 2010 MTN 8
semifinal, between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
match during 2010. It was the venue of the Tri Nations match
between South Africa
and New Zealand.
". Approximately 80,000 people participated.
Nasrec, Gauteng
Nasrec is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 9.Nasrec is the last station on its branch line of the Johannesburg metro railway line and is home to the Johannesburg Soccer City and Expo Centre Johannesburg.- External links :*...
, the Soweto
Soweto
Soweto is a lower-class-populated urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships...
area of Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is located next to the South African Football Association
South African Football Association
The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four...
headquarters (SAFA House) where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup were housed. Designed as the main association football stadium for the World Cup, the FNB Stadium became the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,700, However its maximum capacity during the 2010 FIFA World Cup was 84,490 due to reserved seating for the press and other VIPs. The stadium is also known by its nickname "The Calabash
Calabash
Lagenaria siceraria , bottle gourd, opo squash or long melon is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd...
" due to its resemblance to the African pot
or gourd.
It was the site of Nelson Mandela's
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison. It was also the site of Chris Hani
Chris Hani
Chris Hani, born Martin Thembisile Hani was the leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress . He was a fierce opponent of the apartheid government...
's funeral.
It was also the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final
2010 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 11 July 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time...
, which was played by the Netherlands and Spain.
Naming history
The stadium has been officially known as FNB Stadium since it was opened in 1989. This was due to a naming rightsNaming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
deal with First National Bank. However, the stadium was often referred to as Soccer City by fans and the media, including during the 1996 African Cup of Nations
1996 African Cup of Nations
-Group B:---------------------Group C:------------ withdrew, so their three matches were canceled.*vs. , January 16, 1996*vs. , January 19, 1996*vs...
.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, as well as in the month before the tournament, the stadium was referred to as Soccer City. This was done as FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
does not allow stadiums to be referred to by sponsored names during FIFA sanctioned tournaments.
Construction
The stadium underwent a major upgrade for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with a new design inspired by the shape of an African pot, the calabashCalabash
Lagenaria siceraria , bottle gourd, opo squash or long melon is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd...
. The South African main contractor GLTA, part of the Aveng Group in a joint venture with the Dutch company BAM
Koninklijke BAM Groep
Koninklijke BAM Groep is a major European construction-services business with headquarters in Bunnik, Netherlands.-History:The company was founded by Adam Van der Wal as a joiner's shop in 1869...
who had a 25% stake, constructed the upgrade, which was designed by the architects populous and Boogertman + Partners . The upgrade included: an extended upper tier around the stadium to increase the capacity to 88,958, an additional 2 executive suites, an encircling roof, new changing room facilities and new floodlights. The number of suites in the stadium was increased to 195. Grinaker-LTA and BAM international won the R
South African rand
The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"...
1.5 billion tender to upgrade the stadium. The construction was completed on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 and was marked by a huge celebration at the stadium.
Stadium design
The outside of the stadium is designed to have the appearance of an African pot; the cladding on the outside is a mosaic of fire and earthen colours with a ring of lights running around the bottom of the structure, simulating fire underneath the pot. No spectator is seated more than 100 metres (330 ft) from the field, and there are no restricted views in the stadium.The stands in Soccer City are articulated by ten black vertical lines; nine are aligned geographically with the nine other stadiums involved in the 2010 World Cup. Because 9 is considered to be an unlucky number in South African traditional culture, a tenth line was added. This tenth line is aimed at Berlin's Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Berlin)
The Olympiastadion is a sports stadium in Berlin, Germany. There have been two stadiums on the site: the present facility, and one that is called the Deutsches Stadion which was built for the aborted 1916 Summer Olympics. Both were designed by members of the same family, the first by Otto March...
, which hosted the previous World Cup final in 2006. This represents the road to the final and it is hoped that after the World Cup, each goal scored at the stadium will be placed in pre-cast concrete panels on a podium so that the full history of the tournament’s scores can be seen for years to come.
Before the upgrade
Before the upgrade, the stadium had a capacity of 80,000. The newly reconstructed stadium retains part of the original structure's west upper tier , although this and the entire lower tier were rebuilt to improve sightlines. The lower tier was completely reconstructed and divided into two segments which enabled the creation of a new lower concourse( the lower embankment concourse) linked to the existing ground level concourse.1996 African Cup of Nations
FNB Stadium served as the main venue for the tournament. It hosted the opening game, 5 other group games, a quarter final, a semi final, the 3rd place play-off and the final. The games were:| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-13 | 3–0 | Group A (opening match) | 80,000 | ||
| 1996-01-15 | 2–1 | Group A | 6,000 | ||
| 1996-01-18 | 2–1 | Group A | 4,000 | ||
| 1996-01-20 | 1–0 | Group A | 30,000 | ||
| 1996-01-24 | 0–1 | Group A | 20,000 | ||
| 1996-01-25 | 2–0 | Group C | 3,000 | ||
| 1996-01-27 | 2–1 | Quarter-finals | 80,000 | ||
| 1996-01-31 | 3–0 | Semi-finals | 80,000 | ||
| 1996-02-03 | 0–1 | Third place match | 80,000 | ||
| 1996-02-03 | 2–0 | Final | 80,000 |
2010 World Cup
The stadium hosted the opening ceremony followed by the opening match between South Africa and Mexico, 4 other group stage matches, a Round of 16 match, a quarter-final and the final.| Date | Time (UTC+02) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-11 | 16.00 | 1–1 | Group A 2010 FIFA World Cup Group A Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 11 June and ended on 22 June 2010. The group consisted of France, Mexico, Uruguay and the host nation South Africa. France and South Africa previously met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup; France beat South Africa 3–0. France and Uruguay previously met at the... (opening match) |
84,490 | ||
| 2010-06-14 | 13.30 | 2–0 | Group E 2010 FIFA World Cup Group E Group E of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 14 June and ended on 24 June 2010. The group consisted of the Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon. None of these teams have previously met in a World Cup group stage.... |
83,465 | ||
| 2010-06-17 | 13.30 | 4–1 | Group B 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B Group B of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and ended on 22 June 2010. The group consisted of Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece.... |
82,174 | ||
| 2010-06-20 | 20.30 | 3–1 | Group G 2010 FIFA World Cup Group G Group G of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 15 June and ended on 25 June 2010. The group consisted of reigning South American champions Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire and Portugal. This group, along with Group D, was labeled a group of death.... |
84,455 | ||
| 2010-06-23 | 20.30 | 0–1 | Group D 2010 FIFA World Cup Group D Group D of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 13 June and ended on 23 June 2010. The group consisted of Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana. Along with Group G, it was considered to be a group of death.... |
83,391 | ||
| 2010-06-27 | 20.30 | 3–1 | Round of 16 | 84,377 | ||
| 2010-07-02 | 20.30 | 1–1 (4–2 on pen.) | Quarter Finals | 84,017 | ||
| 2010-07-11 | 20.30 | 0–1 (aet) | Final 2010 FIFA World Cup Final The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 11 July 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time... |
84,490 |
International Football
The stadium has also been regularly used by the South African national football teamSouth Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
both for friendlies and qualification matches. This has led to the stadium being seen as the de facto 'national stadium' for football.
The stadium has also hosted large continental club fixtures. It was the venue for the first leg of the 1995 African Cup of Champions Clubs final, between Orlando Pirates and ASEC Abidjan. The stadium has also hosted the CAF Super Cup
CAF Super Cup
The CAF Super Cup is an annual African association football competition contested between the winners of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. The competition was first held in 1993 and is organised by the Confederation of African Football...
twice. It hosted the 1994 CAF Super Cup, between Zamalek and Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
, as well as the 1996 CAF Super Cup between Orlando Pirates and JS Kabylie
JS Kabylie
Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie , known as JS Kabylie or JSK , is an Algerian professional association football club based in Tizi Ouzou. It draws its support from Kabyle football fans even outside the city of Tizi Ouzou...
. In 2004 the stadium hosted final of the Vodacom Challenge
Vodacom Challenge
The Vodacom Challenge is a association football pre-season tournament that features Vodacom-sponsored South African giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs plus from 2006 onwards an invited European club...
, between AS Vita Club
AS Vita Club
AS Vita Club is a Congolese football club based in Kinshasa.-Honours:*African Cup of Champions Clubs: 0**Winner : 1973**Finalist : 1981*Linafoot: 12**Champion : 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2010...
and Kaizer Chiefs.
Local Football
The stadium is home to Kaizer Chiefs Football Club. It is also the preferred venue for the Soweto derby football matches involving Soweto based Premier Soccer LeaguePremier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. It was also the traditional home of the Telkom Charity Cup
Telkom Charity Cup
The Telkom Charity Cup was a South African football annual, one-day tournament for Premier Soccer League clubs. It was usually held in early August, as the season opening event...
from 1990 to 2006, before it was closed for renovations. The Charity Cup then returned in 2010
2010 Telkom Charity Cup
The 2010 Telkom Charity Cup will be a South African football one-day tournament for Premier Soccer League clubs, which took place on 7 August. It was the 25th Charity Cup, and the 4th under the current name. The tournament was held at Soccer City for the first time since it was closed to be...
. The stadium also hosted the 2010 Nedbank Cup final, South Africa's premier football cup, this was the stadium's first event since re-opening. The first league match at the stadium since being rebuilt, was a 2010-11 Premier Soccer League match between Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars
Free State Stars
Free State Stars are a football club based in Bethlehem, Free State province .-History:Originally founded in 1979 and previously known as Qwa Qwa Stars, the club's franchise was sold to the Premier Soccer League in 2002....
. The first MTN 8
MTN 8
The MTN 8 is the current name of South Africa's oldest football cup competition. It is made up of the top eight teams that finished in that order at the close of the ABSA Premiership season...
match at the stadium was the first leg of the 2010 MTN 8
2010 MTN 8
The 2010 MTN 8 was the 36th edition of this annual knock out tournament. The tournament was won by Orlando Pirates, who beat Moroka Swallows on penalties in the final. The trophy was Orlando Pirates' first major cup win in ten years. It was contested by the eight top teams from the Premier Soccer...
semifinal, between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Rugby union
The stadium hosted its first rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
match during 2010. It was the venue of the Tri Nations match
2010 Tri Nations Series
The 2010 Tri Nations Series is the fifteenth annual Tri Nations rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, respectively nicknamed the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks...
between South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
and New Zealand.
Concerts
| Date | Band | Tour Name | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 February 2011 | U2 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music... |
U2 360° Tour U2 360° Tour The U2 360° Tour was a worldwide concert tour by rock band U2. Launched in support of the group's 2009 album No Line on the Horizon, the tour visited stadiums from 2009 through 2011. It was named for a stage configuration that allowed the audience to almost completely surround the stage... |
94,232 |
| 2 April 2011 | Neil Diamond Neil Diamond Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present.... |
- | |
| 8 October 2011 | Coldplay Coldplay Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a... |
62,000 | |
| 29 October 2011 | Kings of Leon Kings of Leon Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,... |
Come Around Sundown World Tour Come Around Sundown World Tour The Come Around Sundown World Tour is the second concert tour by American band Kings of Leon. Visiting the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia, the tour supports the band's fifth studio album, Come Around Sundown. The tour has been praised by both critics and spectators alike, with many dates... |
52,000 |
Christian Event
On Friday March 11, 2011 Christ Embassy held a crusade "Night of Bliss with Pastor ChrisChris Oyakhilome
Christian Oyakhilome is a Nigerian televangelist, faith healer and founding president of Believers' LoveWorld Incorporated also known as "Christ Embassy", a Pentecostal Christian ministry headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The pastor's television programs feature his faith healing and been targeted...
". Approximately 80,000 people participated.