FNB Stadium refutes 'white elephant' label

Stadia built to host mega-events such as the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup or the Olympics, need to have carefully factored in future event activity at the venue. All future hosts of mega-events, when building stadiums, need to consider budget overruns, financing dilemmas, future bookings and types of activities as well as ensuring the venue is built to serve as a multi-purpose establishment. Previous World Cup hosts such as Germany, France, and the United States have been able to use their stadiums for a wide range of sporting events after the soccer games ended.
Reflecting back to 1994 and our new democracy, it would have been unthinkable for Africa to host the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup. With the recent conclusion of the tournament in this country, South Africa has hosted one of the most successful Soccer World Cup tournaments ever, thereby demonstrating that our country can compete with the best in the world. There is no doubt that the hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been a catalyst for development in South Africa.
With a major R3.3-billion renovation of the stadium by government ahead of the soccer mega-event, the FNB Stadium is well placed to continue to service the significant growth experienced by the sports and leisure event industry since the 1980s. The South African populous continue to have an insatiable appetite for attending large sporting events, demonstrated in the record crowd attendance in excess of 94,000 at the recent Tri-Nations Rugby test match between New Zealand and South Africa in August at the stadium.

Constructed as a multi-purpose venue, the stadium provides a plethora of venue facilities including, a fully serviced 200-seater state-of-the-art auditorium, the opportunity to have a boardroom meeting in the official change-rooms, where the Spanish soccer team celebrated their victory in the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, hosting an elaborate banquet in the Presidential Suite with a view of the field and stadium, hosting other mega-events such as the upcoming PSL Tournament matches and a Neil Diamond music concert, to name a few.

Record statistics abound at this iconic stadium, including:

• Tours: in excess of 32,423 tourists through the stadia in four months
  
• Hosting of 152 functions & conferences in four months
  
• Hosting the first SA International soccer match post 2010 FIFA World Cup
  
• Self funded - Investment up to R 16,000,000 in operating budget
  
• The record crowd attendance in excess of 94,000 for the Tri-Nations Rugby Test Match
  
• Being awarded the prestigious LEAF AWARD for the best public building design globally honouring architects who have made and outstanding contribution to architecture around the world

The monthly costs to run the FNB Stadium equate to R2,5 million each month. Working off a self-funding model with no financial support from National Treasury or from the owners of the stadium, the City of Johannesburg, it is imperative that a solid and sustainable business model was implemented. "The key to unlocking the income to manage this financial demand is to ensure proper content and quality events at the stadium." says Chief Executive Jacques Grobbelaar. "We have taken many months to secure leading attractions such as the Tri-Nations Rugby Test match, the Chiefs and Pirates games, smaller events, as well as concerts and this is evident in that we have 47 confirmed bookings lined up, whereas most stadiums manage less than 20 per annum. We know this stadium will be used."

"An aggressive marketing campaign is constantly undertaken to attract further mega-events to South Africa by SMSA as well as to bring in the smaller day to day events." added Mr Grobbelaar.