Up for the Cup

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The 2010 FIFA World Cup is upon us and, as you follow the action over the coming weeks, thousands of spectators will flood through the gates of South Africa’s best and newest sports stadiums to witness the action and drama unfold.

South Africa has pulled out all the stops to host the World Cup. It’s poured more than ZAR17.4 billion (AED8.1 billion) into the event, including ZAR8.4 billion (AED3.9 billion) for the construction of five brand new stadiums and the substantial upgrade of five others, and ZAR9 billion (AED4.2 billion) into transport and supporting infrastructure works, solely for World Cup venues.

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On a far wider scale, the South African government has also spent ZAR 400 billion (AED 188 billion) on the country's infrastructure – from rail freight services and energy production, to communications, airports and ports of entry – to gear itself for the event.

The funding has enabled architects, contractors and suppliers to have each stadium completed well ahead of schedule. With the eyes of the football world now focused keenly on South Africa, Construction Week takes a look at each of the venues that will be used over the coming month.

Next page: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town