About Entertainment in South Africa

Guidelines for events and travel during FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to create awareness (not panic !) around possible logistical difficulties for travel and events during the FIFA World Cup, which will be taking place here in South Africa during June and July 2010.

Although the official World Cup Tournament dates are 11 June - 11 July 2010, the period between March and July 2010 will be an exceptionally busy period with the pre- and post- event arrangements that will have a huge impact on travellers, events organisers and their respective suppliers. The grid below indicates the times of the disruption over this period and includes other major events beside the FIFA World Cup.

Overview of what can be expected during the period of The FIFA World Cup:

1. Volume of visitors expected

The FIFA 2010 World Cup event is approximately 15 times bigger than the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

The media and support contingent alone that is expected to attend is estimated at 30 000 persons.

Normal travel and events are expected to be severely affected due to the demands created by volume of supporters, volunteers and event workers.

All indications are that approximately 220 000 visitors from ‘long haul’ destinations, 180 000 visitors from Africa and an average of 150 000 local supporters will attend the tournament. It is envisaged that for each match, 100 000+ supporters/support workers will need to use a travel commodity i.e. air and/or road/rail transportation.

An additional 2 000 busses have been imported (which will result in pressure on the road transport infrastructure, despite the current upgrades currently being undertaken) to carry the supporters and workers.

It is predicted that supporters will watch their team play every 3 or 4 days. When their teams are not playing, supporters will frequent the Fan Parks or embark on tours within the city/area of their choice.

2. Fan Parks

Fan Parks will be situated in central areas, so that the general public are able to watch all the games. Entrance to the Fan Parks will be free and it is expected that these Fan Parks will attract a large number of visitors. At the 2006 tournament In Germany, one Fan Park attracted 500 000 spectators to watch a single game ! To avoid additional transport infrastructure pressure and expenses, team training venues will also double as public viewing sites.

Fan Parks in the Western Cape

The Grand Parade Somerset West Road

Stellenbosch Bellville Velodrome

Swartklip Atlantis

Khayelitsha Nomzamo Yethu (Hout Bay)

Training Facilities in the Western Cape

Newlands Rugby Ground UCT Rugby Ground

UWC Soccer Field Bellville Rugby Ground

Stellenbosch Rugby Ground Athlone Stadium

Fan Parks in Johannesburg (list to be updated)

Mary Fitzgerald Square in the Newtown precinct

Fan Parks in Soweto are to be expected.
Innes-Free Park in Sandton,

Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown

Fan Parks in Durban (list to be updated)

The Durban Beach Front has been earmarked as one of Durban’s preferred sites for one or more Fan Parks during 2010.

3. Park and ride, Road transport hubs

Various places in each of the host cities will be designated Park and Ride points and nodal road transport hubs to facilitate interchange between public and private transport between hotels, venues, airports etc. Watch the press for details from Host Cities and LOC.

4. Entertainers, MC’s and Crew

Due to increased travel times, limited resources and high demand, prices of talent will be at a premium and there will most probably a shortage of quality practitioners.

5. Events and Hospitality Equipment and staff hire

There is huge demand for marquee tents, generators, security, chairs, tables, catering equipment, décor suppliers and proficient operators to cater for the corporate hospitality villages, fan parks etc and will all be under pressure.

6. Staging, Sound, Lighting and Audio Visual Equipment

Due to limited resources and high demand, there will be price increases and most probably a shortage.

Heightened security, staff shortages and traffic problems will affect; delivery, set up load in and out times.

7. Flights

To date no airline has released any prices or strategies for the World Cup period.

But on pre and post match-days flights into and out of the venue cities flights are already experiencing high demand and will be overbooked. Due to the sheer volume of travellers, huge delays can be expected.

World Cup teams will be using charter aircrafts and plan to use 2nd tier airports however; their supporters will use the general airports. These airports will focus on scheduled international and domestic flights.

8. Venues

Whist there will be plenty of public viewing areas and many venues will be holding promotional events. There will be a shortage of ‘private’ event venues.

9. Accommodation

All the major hotel groups within South Africa have contracted with MATCH at a pre-defined room rate and therefore the normal Corporate/Group/Rack rates will not be available during this period.

According to FIFA there is currently an approximate shortfall of 18 000 rooms for the World Cup. This supply and demand scenario means B&B’s / Guesthouses will be offering rooms at a premium.

10. Car Rental

It is most likely that all car rental companies will go on “stop-sale” for the period of the World Cup and rental cars will be extremely scarce.

11. Road Closures

It is indicated that there will be limited access and in many instances complete road closures in the areas surrounding the stadia and fan parks. This will make it difficult for travellers to move freely between offsite meetings.

12. Critical Dates

The next critical date for the lead up to FIFA World Cup 2010 is the 4^th December 2009 when the Pool draw is completed. This draw will indicate where the teams will be based and where their supporters will be spending most of their time.

13. Fixtures

The current tournament schedule (see FIFA Website here ) will be updated after the draw on the 4^th December 2009. Games are to be played at 13h30, 16h00 and 20h30.

Travellers are advised to allow for traffic congestion on Match days especially at the stadia, transport hubs and the Fan Parks as well as the routes leading to these venues.

It is suggested that at least 2-3 hrs lead-time is allowed if travelling close / to / from these areas in the direction of the prevailing traffic flow.

Recommendations for travel and holding events during this period:

· Familarise yourself with the special rules and laws pertaining to use of trademarks and 'ambush' marketing during the period around the tournament.

· Plan and finalise the dates for your events now, book and pay deposits for venues, suppliers entertainers, MC’s, Speakers, Audio Visual Equipment and crew to secure their services now.

· Allow plenty of additional time for load in, set up strike and load out.

· Do not travel during these periods unless it is critical.

· Plan all trips well in advance and stick to your plans, tickets over this period are already at a premium and changes to any booked ticket will be extremely difficult and very expensive.

· Try to make appointments at a location and time that is in the opposite direction of the prevailing traffic to and from the stadiums / fan parks.

· Take flights during the times of when the games are being played. Games start at 13h30, 16h00 and 20h30.

· The congestion on the roads both to and from the Airports and around venues is going to be extreme – plan for delays. Allow for up to 3 hrs. to get to the airport in Cape Town and possibly 4 hrs. for Jhb.

· Parking at the airports will be virtually impossible and it is advisable to get someone to drop / collect you from the airports. Transfer companies will be busy with supporters and will be charging premium prices.

With thanks to;

Graham Cormac of Graham Cormac and Associates, Tania Augustyn of Tourvest Travel Services

For their input in compiling this document

Please feel free to factually update this information helpful information such as Fan Park and transport hub venues