The Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, is to be specially built for 2010, with a capacity of 50 000. It will host five first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final, and the third-place playoff.

The Port Elizabeth stadium has been earmarked for a site north of the city, near the industrial port development at Coega, offering a new headquarters for sport in the Eastern Cape.

The structure is envisaged as a futuristic soccer stadium, which will be incorporated within a multi-purpose facility specifically designed to serve the community for years to come.

Safa is determined that new Stadiums should be built both to meet the requirements of hosting a Fifa World Cup and thereafter to serve local people in a practical, relevant manner.

Prolonged discussions within the city have concluded that Port Elizabeth's existing rugby stadium is unsuitable for upgrade and so investment will be directed into this new Stadium.

Its location in open land outside the city, two kilometres from the coast, will ensure provision of ample parking and the capacity to apply every required safety and security measure.

Yet, the Stadium's proximity to the N2 highway means it will be no more than a 15-minute drive to the city's main hotel hub.

In its design and construction, the stadium will be created to meet every Fifa requirement and provide an outstanding venue for first and second round matches during the tournament.