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Guide has 2010 information

WITH less than a month to go until the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ kicks off, a comprehensive guide to the event has been published that is filled with useful information on stadiums, host cities, fan parks and more.

The fan guide has been released by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee and is available online.

It contains useful information for tourists and locals, such as the section that deals with stadiums. It gives information on FIFA ticketing centres in host cities and explains how the Park and Ride facilities will work.

In Johannesburg, spectators can park in designated locations at Nasrec Expo Centre; Bezuidenhout Valley Park; Wits University's West Campus; and the Coca-Cola Dome at Northgate Mall, and then travel to the stadium by shuttle bus or minibus.

There will also be Park and Walk facilities. For matches played at Ellis Park stadium, spectators can park at Athlone Boys High School, at 70 Bezuidenhout Avenue, between Third and Fourth Street in Bezuidenhout Valley, and walk to the stadium.

Maps of all stadiums in the guide give information on important ticket-related areas such as the marked ticket clearing points, which is where ticket holders can go for help.

Detailed layout plans of all of the stadiums indicate all gates and seats; this is to help prevent confusion and allow spectators to reach their seats in a timely and orderly fashion. There is also information on prohibited items and stadium conduct.

Helpful information is included on everyday matters such as banking and food. The manual explains the history of South Africa and has a clever guide to South African slang. It also has sections on health, safety, accommodation, travelling and FIFA Fan Fests™.

Football fans without tickets to matches will be able to watch the games live on big screens at the Fan Fests™. There will be one in each host city, and two in Johannesburg - one at Elkah Stadium in Soweto and the other at Innes Free Park in Sandton. Both will be open from 10am until late on all match days.

Entrance is free and visitors can buy food and beverages at the park. Live music and entertainment will keep people entertained between matches. Official merchandise will also be on sale at an official shop at each FIFA Fan Fest™.

Public viewing areas
Other options to watch the games and soak up the vibe include public viewing areas (PVAs) and Township TV.

There will be a PVA at Mary Fitzgerald Square, on the corner of Jeppe and Henry Nxumalo streets in Newtown. The square can fit up to 22 000 people and will have entertainment such as live performances by local artists, deejay battles, cultural dances, poetry and food festivals.

Spectators are encouraged to use public transport, as there will be no parking available at the venue. Road closures can also be expected around the area.

The City of Joburg teamed up with City Parks and MTN to set up nine Township TV sites. The four metre by three metre screens have been installed at strategic locations. They aim to unite fans during the tournament and will be safe and secure, with 24-hour security.

The Township TV sites are at:

Diepsloot Park: Sarafina Park, Extension 2, Midrand;
Kremetart Park: Eldorado Park, Extension 3;
Diepkloof Park: Immink Street, Diepkloof, Soweto;
Ivory Park: Haile Selassie Street, Ivory Park;
Rose Park: Rose Avenue, Zone 3, Lenasia;
Joubert Park: Corner Klein and King George streets, Hillbrow;
Thokoza Park: 1682 Ntuli Street, Moroka, Soweto;
Orlando Dube Park: Corner Kliprivier and Armitage roads, Orlando West, Soweto; and
Orange Farm Regional Park: Regional Street, Extension 1, Orange Farm.