Property in South Africa’s nine World Cup host cities is likely to continue to benefit from the event long after the final. The economic advantages of hosting a major sporting event – and the extra interest generated in the cities themselves in the game – are just two reasons why the host cities could prove popular options for people buying property in South Africa for years to come.
Cape Town on the Western Cape is home to Green Point Stadium, a 66,005-seater stadium built ahead of the World Cup for completion in December 2009 and, after the final ball of the competition, expected to ultimately be used by Santos or Ajax Cape Town, two of the city’s football clubs. Property in Cape Town could also suit rugby fans, with the city’s Newlands ground used for rugby union primarily.
Property in Durban holds the promise of attractions stretching beyond the football stadium, which is named after the city itself. Ideal as a holiday destination, Durban has its own ‘golden mile’ of restaurants, promenades and beaches, making it a great location for a second home at any time of year.
Property in Johannesburg
Property in Johannesburg puts people at the beating heart of South Africa’s economic and sporting cultures. Its stadium, Ellis Park, was rebuilt in 1982 and recently extended to a capacity of 61,639. Since its reconstruction, it has seen sporting landmarks such as 2009’s Confederations Cup final and, in 1995, Nelson Mandela lofted the Rugby World Cup trophy as South Africa defeated New Zealand to take the competition.
Property in Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Property in Bloemfontein – or Mangaung, to use its Sesotho name – stands in the vicinity of the Free State Stadium, a 45,058-seater whose capacity was increased by 7,000 seats ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup. It was also the venue for a shock during the competition, as the USA defeated European champions Spain to reach the final.
Property in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Property in Port Elizabeth – now part of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality – better serves the needs of football fans with the completion of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Previously, major football matches were played on the Eastern Province’s EPRU rugby stadium. Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, a brand new 46,082-seater stadium was constructed, with completion achieved a year before the scheduled start of the 2010 competition.
Nelspruit combines the very human pursuit of football with more natural surroundings, as property in Nelspruit provides easy access to a number of local game parks. The ground itself is named Mbombela Stadium, the same moniker given to the local municipality which translates from siSwati as "many people together in a small space".
In Polokwane, the surrounding natural environment is dominant. Property in Polokwane is overlooked by rocky granite hills nearby, with the whole city enveloped in an ocean of grasslands. The city is also home to 45,264-seater Peter Mokaba Stadium, one of the opponents of apartheid. The stadium roof is supported by trunk-like structures designed to reflect the shape of the Baobab tree iconic to the area.
Property in Rustenburg offers a chance to get out and about all year round, with a tropical climate ensuring temperatures typically stay above 16 degrees C – and can reach 31 degrees C during the summer months. The city derives its name from Dutch, but its 44,530-seater stadium, Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, is named after the local people who retain mining rights to 20 per cent of all platinum found nearby.
Finally in this alphabetical run-through of the host cities is Pretoria, which has been embroiled in a name-change controversy since 2005. Plans to change the name of the city to Tshwane – already the name of the university and the wider municipality – remain a point of contention in the country. Property in Pretoria surrounds the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, extended to 49,365 seats in 2008 and built on a site used for sporting events since 1903.