Stadiums still rock

Despite dire predictions of empty seats and deserted venues, the stadiums renovated for the World Cup are still hosting major events – and the most successful is Joburg’s FNB Stadium.
Orlando Stadium, home to PSL giants Orlando PiratesOrlando Stadium, home to PSL giants Orlando PiratesA SUCCESSFUL FIFA World Cup both began and ended in Joburg, after tens of thousands of rands had been spent on creating top-billing stadiums. The fear among many was that the FNB Stadium – and the others, spruced up for the tournament – would become white elephants.

But this notion has been defied. Stadiums have been buzzing with sport events, concerts, church conferences and - of course – they have hosted some of the big PSL tournaments.

FNB Stadium has been the busiest not only in the city but in the whole of South Africa, according to Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), the company tasked with managing four Joburg stadiums including the Rand, Orlando and VW Dobsonville stadiums.

Events that saw FNB Stadium filled to capacity included three Soweto Derby matches between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The MTN 8 final between the two Soweto teams recorded a crowd of 91 525.

But the stadiums were not just centres for entertainment; they provided the locals with business opportunities. During two derbies in September, SMSA partnered with the Top Six Taxi Association and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, which provided transport to ferry fans to and from the stadium. This partnership came in handy, especially in night matches, and taxis operated till late.

FNB Stadium is also the home ground for Kaizer Chiefs, following their move from Rand Stadium earlier in the year. The move was welcomed by football fans.

The U2 360 Degree concert was nothing short of a thrilling entertainment which drew wide attendance. More than 100 000 pitched for the concert which was undoubtedly a history-making event for FNB Stadium and Joburg at large. The Indie rock band Kings of Leon also performed to tens of thousands of fans in October.

The Neil Diamond concert wrapped up what was a blast of a year. Just over 60 000 people attended. It was Diamond‘s first-ever performance on local shores.

The Soccer City Complex, as it is known, is currently staging a photographic exhibition that records the history of South African football. The Jabulani Bafana Collection, earlier exhibited at Mary Fitzgerald Square, documents 20 iconic soccer moments in the country‘s football history.

A tourism destination, a man-made marvel; this are some of the words to describe the stadium that has become the pride of Jozi and a significant landmark. SMSA continues to run tours to the Soccer City Complex. The guides are well trained. Visitors learn about the history of Johannesburg, as well as architectural and sporting history in the venue.

FNB Stadium is set to continue staging world class events; in 2012 the stadium will host the Springboks and the world champions New Zealand in the Castle Rugby Championship encounter.

The Springboks and the All Blacks will be returning to FNB Stadium to play their final test match of the 2012 series.

Orlando Stadium
Orlando Stadium, a home to the PSL giants Orlando Pirates, has also had its fair share of historical events. Banyana Banyana walloped Ethiopia at the stadium recently to qualify for the first Olympics to be hosted in London in 2012. The qualifiers were the highest level the team has played since South Africa‘s readmission into world football.

The home team Orlando Pirates also embraced being at home; they won most of their matches at the stadium, leading to the treble-winning season.

VW Dobsonville Stadium lying in the heart of DobsonvilleVW Dobsonville Stadium lying in the heart of DobsonvilleAnother event was the Vodacom Unlimited Festival which saw the launch of the company‘s new logo. The stadium was packed to capacity. Earlier in the year more than 40 000 police officers assembled at the stadium to talk about the best ways to prevent crime in South Africa. In 2012 Orlando Stadium will host the much anticipated Usher Raymond Concert.

Rand Stadium
Rand Stadium has however been a little quieter, although the stadium hosted most of the national First Division games. The biggest it hosted this year was the 2012 Olympic qualifier match against Benin. In that match South Africa 23s won 5 -1 over Benin.

The stadium is also home to the national First Division outfit Mpumalanga Black Aces.

Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium
Lying in the heart of Dobsonville and the most significant landmark in the area, the Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium hosted a number of PSL matches. The stadium regained its pride when the PSL outfit returned to the stadium, a move which saw an increase in the number of league matches played at the stadium.

The stadium was renamed and rebranded as VW Dobsonville stadium after the car manufacturer purchased the naming rights. It is to host a variety of developmental soccer tournaments, scheduled for 2012.