07 March 2013

Excitement is growing as FNB Stadium gears up to host one of the biggest highlights on the South African football calendar, the Soweto Derby scheduled to kick off at 3:30pm on Saturday. With television audiences extending beyond the borders of South Africa, all eyes will be on hosts and logleaders Kaizer Chiefs who will entertain their arch rivals and defending chamapions Orlando Pirates.

Jacques Grobbelaar, Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) Chairman and CEO says, “we are really looking forward to the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. It has been an interesting season and we are sure it’s going to be a big one.”

Logistically there is a great deal of work and preparation needed to host a crowd in excess of 90 000. Grobbelaar said his team has been meticulous in its planning for the big showdown. “Careful planning has been done in terms of public transport, parking arrangements and ticketing, however it’s equally important for all ticket holders to arrive early on Saturday. Consideration should be given to arrive at FNB Stadium at least two hours before kickoff. Accommodating up to 94 000 visitors in the precinct is no easy task and no matter how many traffic officials and security staff are deployed, it will always be a challenge. We need the support of ticketholders to ensure a smooth and hassle free experience on Saturday afternoon.”

All stand tickets for the Derby have sold out, however Hospitality packages are still available and can be purchased from SAIL via online bookings at www.sail.co.za, by emailing bookings@sail.co.za or by calling the Hotline at 081 486 3823. A Premium Hospitality package costs R2 200 per person excluding VAT and includes a suite ticket, buffet meal, complimentary local bar, a parking ticket for four people and personalised service throughout the afternoon. A South Viewing Hospitality ticket costs R1 650 per person excluding VAT and includes a suite ticket, snack meal, beer, wine and soft drinks, a parking ticket for four people and personalised service throughout the afternoon. And for only R855 per person including VAT the Hisense suite ticket on the centre line of the West Stand offers a variety of alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and food available for purchase inside the facility.

Gates open from 12pm on Saturday. Fans are cautioned against bringing in any food, alcohol or drinks to the Stadium as these will not be permitted past the Entry Gates. FNB Stadium has a strict No Smoking policy and fans are urged to adhere to such restrictions within the Stadium. SMSA reminds fans that the unauthorised sale of tickets at FNB Stadium is not permitted and could lead to arrest and prosecution. SMSA reserves the right to confiscate counterfeit goods and the sale thereof.

There are various options to choose from in terms of public transportation such as Top 6 Taxis, busses and rail services. Tickets for Top 6 Taxis cost R10 to the Stadium and R12 Back on various routes including the MTN taxi rank (Noord Street & Twist Street); Johannesburg CBD; Moroka Police Station; Maponya Mall; Kliptown Post Office; Dobsonville Police Station; Meadowlands Police Station; Phefeni Taxi Rank; Cross Road Taxi Rank and Dube Station Taxi Rank.

Rea Vaya busses will be operating along the Rea Vaya route to FNB Stadium with the frequency of services being stepped up to five minutes from Thokoza Park and Ellis Park. Busses start departing Ellis Park and Dobsonville from 12pm and Thokoza Park at 11:15am with the last busses heading off to FNB Stadium at 3pm from Ellis Park and Thokoza Park and 2:30pm from Dobsonville. Fans can purchase return tickets selling at R17 per person or a one- way ticket for R8.50 from Rea Vaya Stations.

Those fans using parking facilities at the Stadium Precinct are urged to take heed of road closures at the following intersections: Soweto Highway and Mentz Street; Soweto Highway and N1 South; Nasrec Road and Shaft 17 Road; Shaft 17 Road and Soccer City Avenue; N17 and Nasrec Road; Ring Road and Gates 1 and 2; Golden Highway and Ring 1 (Nasrec Gate 3 and 4); Nasrec Road and Recreation/Sport Road; Crownwood Road and Booysens Reserve Road; Crownwood Road and Amethyst Road; Nasrec Road and Stadium Avenue; Booysens Reserve Road; Crownwood Road and Amethyst Road; Landbou Road and Ring Road; Nasrec Road and Stadium Avenue and Booysens Reserve Road and League Avenue.