Because 9 is considered to be an unlucky number in South African traditional culture, a tenth line was added. The stands in the FNB Stadium are articulated by ten black vertical lines nine are aligned geographically with the nine other stadiums involved in the 2010 World Cup. No spectator is seated more than 100 metres (330 ft) from the field, and there are no restricted views in the stadium. The outside of the stadium is designed to have the appearance of an African pot the cladding on the outside is a mosaic of fire and earthen colours with a ring of lights running around the bottom of the structure, simulating fire underneath the pot. The construction was completed on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 and was marked by a huge celebration at the stadium.
#Stadium design upgrade
Grinaker-LTA and BAM international won the R1.5 billion tender to upgrade the stadium. The number of suites in the stadium was increased to 195.
![stadium design stadium design](https://i0.wp.com/www.aseanfootball.org/v3/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sydney-Football-Stadium-Seat-1.jpg)
![stadium design stadium design](https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/992274/screenshots/6535151/stadium_from_a_height_kit8-net.png)
The upgrade included: an extended upper tier around the stadium to increase the capacity to 88,958, an additional two executive suites, an encircling roof, new changing room facilities and new floodlights. The South African main contractor GLTA, part of the Aveng Group in a joint venture with the Dutch company BAM who had a 25% stake, constructed the upgrade, which was designed by HOK Sport (now known as Populous) and Boogertman + Partners. The stadium's current name is FNB Stadium.īuilt in 1987, the stadium underwent a major upgrade for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with a new design inspired by the shape of an African pot, the calabash. This was done as FIFA does not allow stadiums to be referred to by sponsored names during FIFA-sanctioned tournaments. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as in the month before the tournament, the stadium was referred to as Soccer City.
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This was due to a naming rights deal with First National Bank. The stadium has been officially known as FNB Stadium since it was opened in 1989.
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It was the site of Nelson Mandela's first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison in 1990, and served as the venue for a memorial service to him on 10 December 2013. The stadium is also known by its nickname "The Calabash" due to its resemblance to the African pot or gourd. However, its maximum capacity during the 2010 FIFA World Cup was 84,490 due to reserved seating for the press and other VIPs. Designed as the main association football stadium for the World Cup, the FNB Stadium became the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,736. It is located next to the South African Football Association headquarters ( SAFA House) where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup were housed. in the South African Premier Soccer League as well as key fixtures for the South African national football team. The venue is managed by Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) and is a home of Kaizer Chiefs F.C. Stadium Avenue, Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africaĩ4,807 ( Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, 1 August 2015) īoogertman & Partners, HOK Sport (now Populous) įirst National Bank Stadium or simply FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City and The Calabash, is an association football (soccer) and Rugby union stadium located in Nasrec, bordering the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa.