Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest Construction begins

Grand Parade to be transformed into an entertainment mecca

With the countdown to the beginning of the 2010 World Cup, construction has begun on Cape Town’s FIFA Fan Fest situated at the Grand Parade.  When complete, the 25413 sqm area will serve as the city’s official entertainment hub for the duration of the soccer festival.

Lesley de Reuck, 2010 Director Operations from the City of Cape Town said, “The purpose of the Fan Fest is to offer a safe, convenient and convivial alternative to being at the stadium.  Soccer fans who weren’t able to get tickets can still watch the match live and get to experience the excitement and thrill of being caught up in the roar of the crowd.”

Local music and cuisine will be showcased alongside the soccer

The Fan Fest will be open daily between 11h00 and 23h00 from 10 June to 11 July.  In between watching soccer, visitors will be entertained by a dazzling laser light display, quality performances from talented locals and popular big-name artists such as Goldfish, Freshlyground, the Rudimentals, Danny K, Jimmy Dludlu, the Guguletu Tenors and many more.  

Stringent security measures will ensure a good experience

The Grand Parade has a capacity for 25 000 and numbers will be strictly controlled by the private security, emergency services and SAPs forces on the ground.  To enter the Fan Fest, visitors will need to pass through security check points positioned in Darling Street and at the corner of Buitenkant and Longmarket Streets.  Children under the age of 14 will have to be accompanied by an adult and items of food, alcohol, weapons or drugs being brought into the Fan Fest will be confiscated.

Lesley De Reuck concluded “Because the World Cup is an event that will attract many families, as well as tourists, we have put very stringent security measures in place.  Unruly behaviour will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be very swiftly dealt with.  Our intention is for every visitor to the Fan Fest to have a good experience.” 

Visitors are encouraged to use the many park-and-ride facilities available throughout Cape Town.

Entertainment at the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest 2010

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