General questions

Now with the Final Draw results known and the full match schedule available for review, we’re certain that your planning for attending the first African FIFA World Cup™ has begun in earnest.

With this in mind, we’ve prepared answers for questions you may have:

When will the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ take place?

The World Cup will be held between June 11 and July 11, 2010.

What is the Cape Town match schedule?

Cape Town Stadium will host the following Group Stage matches:

June 11: Uruguay vs France
June 14: Italy vs Paraguay
June 18: England vs Algeria
June 21: Korea DPR vs Portugal
June 24: Netherlands vs Cameroon

Cape Town will also host a Round of 16 Match on June 29, a quarter final on July 3, and a semi-final on July 6, 2010.

Where will the Cape Town-scheduled matches be held?

All eight games, including the semi-final, will be held at the City’s brand new 68 000-seat stadium, which has recently been named Cape Town Stadium. It is centrally located in Green Point, near the city centre.

How many teams are participating?

Thirty-two teams qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The groups were determined at the Final Draw held in Cape Town on December 4, 2009, as was the match schedule.

Which other South African cities are hosting matches?

Matches will be held in South Africa’s three biggest cities; Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, as well as in Polokwane, Rustenburg, Tshwane/Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Mangaung/Bloemfontein and Mbombela/Nelspruit.

Where do I stay?

Cape Town offers a wealth of accommodation options to local and international visitors, so you can take your pick – from ultra-luxury five-star establishments to backpacker lodges. FIFA notes that “there are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, including media representatives and fans from around the world”.

What will it be like?

Noisy, colourful and enthusiastic! This is the first time a FIFA World Cup will be held on African soil. A soccer-loving nation, South Africa is also excited to be the host of its first international event of this magnitude. Don’t expect Germany, don’t expect Barcelona – this is South Africa, where energy, spontaneity and hospitality are the cornerstones of society.

Will I find room at the inn in Cape Town?

Yes. There are an estimated 70 000 beds available in the greater Cape Town area. Accommodation options range from six-star luxury hotels and private villas to bed and breakfasts and self-catering house hires. Many of the larger hotels have signed with FIFA booking agent MATCH. If you are looking for a direct booking, go to www.capetown.travel/2010 for some accommodation options. Whatever you do, make sure you book through some sort of reputable agency or recognised tourism association – you don’t want to end up sharing the bathroom with someone else’s granny, kids or washing machine!

Will I have to mortgage the house to be there?

Cape Town itself is not an expensive destination, but some of the packages on offer are. The primary reason for this is the guarantee that comes with booking a package. Guaranteed tickets to the game you want to see, accommodation, flights and sometimes even hospitality included means you pay for the satisfaction of certainty. If you are planning your trip yourself, you will need to buy your ticket through FIFA. Cape Town’s tourism industry has generally agreed on a standard peak rate plus 17%. The local tourism authorities have done much work around preventing mega-event greed.

Are there flights available?

Again, it is advisable to sort yourself out as soon as possible. Early indications are that some of the airlines are planning on charging higher-than-usual fees. One South African carrier, Mango, has publicly announced that it will not be hiking its fees during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Can I travel between games by car?

South Africa is a large country – at 1 221 040km2 it is five times the size of Great Britain. Unless an extensive road-trip is part of your plan, you would be advised to fly. Getting from Cape Town to Johannesburg by road is a 17-hour drive, while Durban to Johannesburg is about 7 hours. A Cape Town-Johannesburg flight is about 2 hours and a flight from Durban to Johannesburg is about 50 minutes.

Will I know what to do when I get to the airport?

Cape Town Airport has just undergone a R3-billion upgrade. It has won Best Airport in Africa seven years in a row at the World Travel Market. On arrival, passengers will enjoy a swift automatic baggage sorting process, after which they will proceed to the Transport Plaza, from where they will choose their preferred route and mode of transport. Cape Town’s bus, coach, taxi and shuttle systems have all been extensively upgraded. The point-to-point rapid bus system is on track for shuttling fans between the airport, city centre and stadium, and the central Cape Town Station has received a technical and aesthetic face lift, extending into a “park and ride” network that is designed to prevent excess traffic on the roads.

Will there be transport between my hotel and the games?

Yes. Several point-to-point bus routes will be on offer, taxi fleets are on standby and a reliable train service is available. The central city to the stadium area is largely pedestrianised.

Will my money be any good?

Cape Town has a sophisticated banking infrastructure. Most retailers are equipped to handle Visa and Master cards, and some accept American Express and Diners Club cards. Special condition licences are being granted to several hotels to allow them to act as bureaus de change during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Cash is king but credit is safer. Beyond the city, and in the rural areas of South Africa, it is advisable to carry some cash. Cash is also necessary for parking fees and tips.

Is it safe?

South Africa has hosted 140 international sporting events over the past few years and not one of these reported any incidents.

The South African Police Services are in overall control of safety and security, but will work closely with disaster management and fire, cleaning and transport services through joint operations centres. The whole stadium precinct will be locked down before the event, and entry will be tightly restricted.

The usual commonsense rules apply, of course. Watch your possessions, don’t carry original copies of your travel documents, limit the cash on your person and be aware.

What else can I do with my time in Cape Town?

Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with much to offer. As the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ takes place in winter, fans should expect to take advantage of Cape Town’s excellent and diverse culinary offerings. Five Cape Town restaurants feature on the S. Pellegrino World’s Top 100 Restaurants list.

A three-course meal in an upmarket restaurant will range from R250 to R550 per head with a good bottle of wine priced at an average of R120 to R300. From the winelands to the townships, there are dining options that are unforgettable.

If shopping is on the agenda, you can choose between local craft, local youth-culture and design goodies, collectable art and fashion.

If you are interested in adventure activity, Cape Town offers plenty. Rock climbing (indoors or out), walks, paragliding, horse-riding, shark cage-diving and helicopter flips are just some of the adrenalin-fuelled activities to help you work off the food and drink.

Winter is also the best time to surf and kite-surf in Cape Town.

Popular activities include admiring the view from the top of Table Mountain, which is accessible either by cable car or on foot; shopping at the ever-popular V&A Waterfront in the city’s harbour; touring the picturesque Cape winelands, a short distance from the city centre; visiting Robben Island; marvelling at the penguins in Boulders Penguin Colony; and relaxing on a sunset cruise. The list of things to do in this most beautiful of cities is endless. For more options, call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800.

What if I fall ill?

According to the FIFA inspection report, South Africa’s health system offers excellent facilities and is perhaps one of the best private health systems in the world, drawing on modern technology and highly qualified specialists and medical staff. According to the report, “There are fully equipped infirmaries with adequate first-aid facilities to meet every need in the stadiums proposed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

What currencies are usable?

South Africa’s currency is the rand (ZAR). Foreign exchange facilities are available at all airports, larger shopping centres and most banks. Credit cards are widely accepted, and there is a well-established network of ATMs.

What time zone is South Africa in?

South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). During June and July (when the tournament will take place) the time is the same as that in continental Europe and it will be an hour ahead of the UK. This means that matches that kick off here at 21h00 will be comfortable viewing for Europeans, while US viewers will be taking a lot of early lunches.

What will the weather be like?

The World Cup will take place in the southern hemisphere winter, which is usually warmer than its northern counterpart. Although Cape Town is known for its generally pleasant weather during winter, it is sometimes cold and wet in June, so bring winter clothes.

What is the nightlife like?

There’s no shortage of places to celebrate, or cry into your glass, after a match – there are pubs, wine bars, township taverns (known as shebeens) and a variety of restaurants and theatres, plus more!

How many fan parks will there be?

There will be an official FIFA Fan Fest at the Grand Parade in Cape Town, and smaller Public Viewing Areas (PVAs) at Athlone Civic Centre, Oliver Tambo Sports Centre, Bellville Velodrome and Swartklip Sport Complex. Public viewing areas for World Cup matches will also be available in other towns across South Africa. In addition, shopping malls, restaurants and pubs are expected to offer clients big-screen entertainment areas.

Where can I go to avoid the whole show?

There are many secluded places where you can escape the bustle of the World Cup; from the massive Drakensberg mountain range to the Cedarberg mountains in the Western Cape, or alternatively, explore the 2 500km (approximately 1 553mi) of coastline that South Africa has to offer.