The Outlook for World Cup Stadiums

In preparation for the 2010 World Cup, South Africa built seven new soccer stadiums.

Most of these venues have hosted around six games over the course of one month. I’m not convinced that South Africa has the resources to maintain these venues after the tournament ends, today.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosted eight games of which I attended three. It finished completion in 2009 and seats 42,000. The venue failed to sellout a game, including the Quarterfinal between Holland and Brazil. I think this was due to the high price for sideline seats and boxes. There were 37,000 spectators for several games, while others had glaring empty seats.

South Africa has been a successful host of the greatest sporting event in the universe, but the next step maybe it’s most critical one. Billions of dollars have been spent building these stadiums and renovating three others. According to Bloomberg Businessweek in an article from July 6, it will cost between 350 million rand and 500 million rand year to sustain these stadiums. Udesh Pillay, co-author of “Development and Dreams: The Urban Legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” estimates each stadium will have to sellout between 12 to 15 events with tickets sold at an average of 200 rand.

The outlook of this happening in reality is bleak. Garth, from Grahamstown and a fan at a World Cup game, said that the stadiums would be able to be maintained with the help of Rugby. Many people in the country are speculating that this is the direction these venues will take. He said that they are already 32 events scheduled at Nelson Mandela Bay from the conclusion of the World Cup through December. These events include Rugby games and concerts.

The problem with keeping this pace up is the local team in Port Elizabeth isn’t very good. He predicts that that team will draw around 16,000 fans for games, which would leave two-thirds of the stadium empty. However a Springboks game, South Africa’s national team, would surely fill the stadium to capacity.

I hope that several of these venues will continue on for years to come, but I just don’t see it being probable. Like Garth said, at least there is a system and plan in place for stadiums after the tournament is over, whether or not it will be successful, only the future will tell us.