International Football Village offers safe, secure and inviting environment

This festive football village in Ekurhuleni - the only one of its kind in the football world - will offer entertainment such as the German Fan Mile, a Brazilian Caipi bar, a Bavarian beerhouse and an African shebeen, every day from 11am. Restaurants and pubs aplenty will add to the ambience, and there will be regular live performances by music acts such as Jamali, Garth Taylor, Mean Mr Mustard and Loyiso.

Even if you are not attending any matches, at the International Football Village you can still enjoy a complete World Cup experience - in a safe, secure and inviting environment.

2000-seater arena

Large parties, small groups and individual fans can feel free to relax, kick back and watch the matches live on the big screen in the 2000-seater arena located at the German Fan Mile, while mingling with visitors from across the world.

Every night before a match, a football night party will rock the village with live entertainment, football experts, musicians and DJs hitting the stage.

The IFV will be located on a five-hectare site at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre, near OR Tambo International Airport. It is the brainchild of Birchwood CEO Kevin Clarence, along with South African, German and other business partners. The initiative is headed by Mike de Vries, a German branding and communication expert who was closely involved in the organisation of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

“As the host nation, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not only to enjoy the event, but become part of it and also to showcase true, warm South African hospitality,” said De Vries, the International Football Village CEO. “This outstanding project gives all the ideal platform to do so.”

Corporate suites

In addition to welcoming football fans, the IFV provides the opportunity for companies to entertain clients, guests and employees in comfort while enjoying the largest sporting spectacle on Earth. More than 50 private corporate suites are available for this purpose.

A media centre will be provided at the village with facilities for press conferences and talks, and with the previous day's matches being analysed by an international team of experts.

The IFV also boasts a four-star Apartment Park, comprising 655 rooms equipped with all the necessary mod cons to ensure the utmost comfort of guests.

Far more than merely a football fiesta, the IFV offers an invaluable opportunity to network, forge relationships and consolidate business ties during informal interaction or during the scheduled events, lectures and forums.

Fan tickets cost R100 per day, with corporate hospitality tickets available at R500 per person. Tickets are available from Computicket or from Birchwood Hotel. For more details, phone +27 (0)11 897 0000 or go to www.birchwoodhotel.co.za.