10 November 2017
South Africa has two stadiums among the 10 biggest arenas in Africa. Find out which two here!
The famous Soccer City or FNB Stadium was the flagship project of South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup bid. The stadium was first built in 1989 and then underwent a major upgrade ahead of the first World Cup on African soil.
It previously had a capacity of 80 000, and can now host up to 94 736 fans, according to an overview of Africa’s biggest stadiums on www.worldatlas.com.
It is the preferred venue for the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and famously hosted the 2010 World Cup final that saw Spain being crowned champions.
Egypt’s Borg El Arab Stadium is the second biggest on the continent, and can host up to 86 000 people. It was opened in 2007 and used for the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup, but only hosted the opening match between Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago. It was supposed to by Egypt’s flagship stadium for the 2010 World Cup, but FIFA famously gave the hosting rights to South Africa.
Stade des Martyrs in DR Congo is the third biggest stadium in Africa and has an official capacity of 80 000. However, reports suggest it can reach an unofficial crowd of 100 000. The arena was opened in 1994 and renovated in 2008 to meet international standards.
The second South African stadium on WorldAtlas’ list is Ellis Park Stadium. It was opened in 1928 and upgraded in 1982. Unfortunately, many remember it for the Ellis Park Stadium disaster, when a stampede killed 43 people on 11 April 2001.
It hosted games at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and is listed with an official capacity of 62 567 these days.
This article originally appeared on soccerladuma.co.za