10 May 2017
Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) managed venues will be a buzz of activity with top class football fixtures, international rugby and music concerts set to rock the Calabash- styled venue in 2017 and 2018.
With the renewal between First National Bank (FNB) and SMSA – a remarkable 30-year naming rights sponsorship for FNB Stadium – it was a perfect fit rewarding patrons and suite holders with world class events for the year with confirmed activities leading up to 2018 at the 87 436-seater stadium.
The first is the highly-anticipated return of Canadian pop sensation, Justin Bieber and his Purpose World Tour brought to you by Big Concert, which will make a stop at country’s proud facility on Sunday, 14 May 2017.
“I can confirm that we plan to host between two and four major international concerts and festivals each year at FNB Stadium and that we are committed to working with SMSA over the long term to maximize value for all stakeholders at FNB Stadium,” said Big Concerts Chief Executive Officer, Justin van Wyk.
“We have confirmed the major action sports Nitro Circus Live B for 28 October and have submitted offers for a further five major international artists for 2017/18 summer period.”
After the great success in hosting Springboks Test matches and Blue Bulls fixtures in 2010 – the SA Rugby Union announced the South African A national side will play the French Barbarians with the Vodacom Blue Bulls taking on the Xerox Golden Lions, in a rugby double-header and a day of festivities, at Orlando Stadium on 23 June.
SMSA Chief Executive Officer, Jacques Grobbelaar, said: “Rugby has become even more popular in surrounding Soweto communities and we have heeded the call to bring top rugby back to where it belongs after previous successes. There is plenty more to come in the next year.”
Outside of being the home venue of South African football giants Kaizer Chiefs – the FNB Stadium will also host to at least three Soweto Derby fixtures featuring Chiefs and traditional football arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, in what is undoubtedly the biggest sporting showpiece on the southern hemisphere, including the 2017 Carling Black Label Champion Cup on Saturday, 29 July.
The sold-out 2016 edition is nominated for the Fan Experience of the Year at the 2017 Stadium Business Awards in Ireland where you can cast your vote before the 12 May deadline on this link: www.stadiummanagement.co.za/sba . Some lucky voters have a chance to win VIP tickets for this year’s event.
The hospitality area at the Calabash is the most popular destination for friends, business partners, clients and families looking at being entertained in the comfort of a homely environment, whether they are attending sporting, music or religious activity here.
“With the above world-class events coming to the FNB stadium, the variety of events would be unrivaled in relation to any other stadium in the country. This iconic landmark, and more specifically our hospitality areas, would undoubtedly provide an amazing platform for corporates to entertain and engage with their diverse client base,” excited SAIL Chief Executive Officer, Jaco Beukes, said.