Calabash of champions: How FNB stadium became Africa’s global stage

In the heart of Johannesburg, on the edge of Soweto, FNB Stadium stands as Africa’s largest stadium and one of the world’s most recognizable sports venues. 

With a seating capacity of nearly 95,000, the arena, also known as Soccer City, became a global landmark following a R3.3 billion ($206 million) renovation ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Today, it remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s sports tourism, live entertainment and mega-event economy.

Shaped like a traditional African calabash, the stadium’s fire-toned façade was redesigned between 2007 and 2009 to reflect cultural identity while meeting FIFA’s global standards. Illuminated at night, the structure blends symbolism with commercial ambition, positioning South Africa as a premier destination for international sporting events and large-scale concerts.

World cup legacy and African football powerhouse

FNB Stadium reached peak global visibility in 2010 when it hosted the World Cup opening ceremony, the opening match and the final between Spain national football team and Netherlands national football team. 

The event marked the first FIFA World Cup on African soil, drawing billions of global viewers and reshaping perceptions of Africa’s capacity to deliver complex, world-class tournaments.

Long before 2010, however, the venue had already cemented its reputation as a continental football powerhouse. It staged the 1996 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals, reinforcing South Africa’s leadership in African football infrastructure and sports development.

Beyond sport, the stadium carries deep political and historical weight. In 1990, shortly after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela addressed a massive crowd at the venue, signaling a new democratic era. It later hosted the funeral of anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani and national memorials that united the country during defining moments.

A multi-billion Rand events engine

While football remains its anchor tenant, FNB Stadium has evolved into a diversified events platform. The arena regularly hosts international rugby fixtures featuring the South Africa national rugby union team, along with sold-out concerts by global superstars including U2, Rihanna and Chris Brown.

Its 195 corporate hospitality suites, advanced broadcast infrastructure and tiered seating design, ensuring no spectator sits more than about 100 meters from the pitch, make it a preferred venue for high-profile sporting events, international concerts and corporate showcases. For sponsors and brands, it offers premium visibility in one of Africa’s most commercially significant cities.

Driving tourism and urban growth

The stadium’s 2010 upgrade catalyzed infrastructure improvements across Johannesburg, boosting transport networks, hospitality investment and job creation. 

More than a football ground, FNB Stadium has become a strategic asset in South Africa’s tourism economy, drawing visitors for major matches, live music events and international tournaments.

More than a decade after the World Cup, the Calabash remains a symbol of African excellence in sports infrastructure, where global spectacle meets local pride, and where every sold-out event reinforces Johannesburg’s role as a gateway for major events on the continent.