The 2010 World Cup, aside from the incessant drone of vuvuzelas, is fondly remembered for its unique vibrancy and colour. As the first tournament hosted on African soil, South Africa did not disappoint, drawing from the region's festive football passion to construct five dazzling new stadiums and refurbish several existing ones.
However, as many host nations learn, without a backup plan, you're essentially splurging hundreds of millions on soon-to-be shiny sheds. So, what became of the 2010 World Cup venues? Let's take a look...
Soccer City, first opened in 1989, underwent a stunning renovation for the World Cup, designed to mimic a traditional South African cooking pot atop a campfire. The Johannesburg-based stadium hosted eight matches, including South Africa's opener against Mexico and the final between Spain and Holland.
It remains active, with club side Kaiser Chiefs and the South African national football team playing their home games there. Over the past decade, it has hosted numerous high-profile rugby matches, concerts, and even large Christian gatherings, attracting over 100,000 attendees.
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein is a haunting reminder for England fans, as it was the venue for the Three Lions' crushing 4-1 defeat to Germany in the round of 16. Nowadays, it primarily serves as a rugby ground, hosting home matches for the Free State Cheetahs and the Toyota Cheetahs, with occasional games from amateur football side Bloemfontein Celtic.
You can bungee jump from the roof of the Moses Mabhida Stadium (Image: YouTube/"HANDLE")
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, purpose-built for the World Cup, has since evolved into a multi-purpose entertainment hub. While football remains its main function, with South African Premier League side AmaZulu playing their home games there, the venue now boasts on-site restaurants, bungee jumping facilities, and a sky car that takes visitors to the top of the stadium's massive central arch - reportedly modelled after Wembley's.
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, one of South Africa's oldest sports grounds, hosted a significant number of World Cup matches. Nestled in the city centre, the stadium is the jewel in the crown of the city's illustrious sporting sector, which includes a state-of-the-art athletics stadium, the Standard Bank Arena, the Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, and an Olympic-class swimming pool. Two rugby teams, the Lions and the Golden Lions, play their home matches here, and the stadium has remained largely unchanged since 2010.
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Rugby matches have taken place at the Mbombela Stadium (Image: Getty)
Mbombela Stadium
The stadium's design is inspired by the nearby Kruger National Park, with its 18 roof supports mimicking giraffes and seats patterned with zebra stripes to enhance the safari theme. Since the World Cup, it has hosted several high-profile international rugby matches and occasionally serves as a venue for Bafana Bafana (the South African national football team) games.
However, since 2010, it has seen little consistent use and remains semi-abandoned.
The Peter Mokaba Stadium is rarely used nowadays (Image: Getty)
Peter Mokaba Stadium
Peter Mokaba Stadium was named after a former leader of the ANC Youth League, which Nelson Mandela once led. The structure was designed to resemble a baobab tree, known for their thick trunks and upside-down appearance. Like most baobab trees, the stadium now sits idle, although it occasionally hosts football matches despite lacking regular tenants.
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, built and managed by the Royal Bafokeng Nation - a semi-independent tribal group in the north of the country - hosted six World Cup matches, including England's 1-1 draw with the USA. It was home to the South African Premier League side Platinum Stars until the club dissolved in 2018. Now, it serves as a general athletics stadium and music venue.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was designed to resemble a protea flower (Image: Getty)
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, situated in Port Elizabeth and designed to resemble a flower, hence its nickname 'The Protea', was the venue for eight World Cup matches, including England's 1-0 victory over Slovenia. The stadium was later handed over to South African Premier League team Chippa United and rugby team Eastern Province Elephants.
It has also hosted Springbok test matches, Bafana Bafana internationals, the South African leg of the Rugby Sevens World Series, and several games at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium often hosts rugby fixtures (Image: Getty)
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The Loftus Versfeld Stadium, which first opened its doors in 1923, is the most historic ground at the 2010 World Cup. It has hosted boxing and cricket matches, as well as the occasional Robbie Williams concert. Currently, it alternates between hosting rugby and football matches.
The Springboks use it for major test matches almost every year, while Pretoria-based rugby team Blue Bulls share weekly tenancy with Premier League football team Mamelodi Sundowns.
