Cape Town Stadium – stadium description

Construction of a new showcase stadium in Cape Town was prompted by FIFA's decision to grant 2010 World Cup to South Africa, first ever host from this continent. But as the city didn't need a venue of that size, it had numerous opponents from the very start.

German architects Von Gerkan, Marg und Partner were assigned to design it with biggest challenge being to fit a 70,000-capacity stadium in the selected location. On one hand Green Point district is a residential district without high-rise architecture, one the other there's see and Table Mountain in the background, depending on point of view. To make the stadium merge with its surroundings rather than spoil the unique landscape, simple and elegant form was selected, with facades covered by membrane.

Construction works started in March 2010, but suffered from numerous delays (caused by striking workers and human remains being found on site) and eventually contractors handed over the stadium at the last moment set by FIFA, half a year before the tournament.

Cape Town Stadium received massive criticism due to its capacity (after 2010 World Cup it mostly holds 55,000 with extra 15,000 seats being installed temporarily at the top tier). Despite several attempts, no tenant was found to hold games there continuously, neither in football, nor rugby. The fact that it's generating loss only adds to the initial frustration, especially that there was no venue for the 2010 tournament with higher budget.