South African and international parties who are interested in becoming the long-term operator for the new Green Point Stadium, or buying the naming rights for it, have visited the stadium construction site to gain a better sense of what the finished stadium will look like.

The groups also had a detailed presentation on the design of the 68 000-seater multi-purpose stadium. City of Cape Town 2010 spokesperson Pieter Cronje said the site inspection and presentation “went very well”. The groups who attended, who cannot be named, were from both South Africa and a variety of other countries, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom. “They wanted to know more about the stadium, its situation, and what it will look like when complete, and how they can use the space,” said Cronje.

The visit to the stadium follows the Soccer Expo held in Johannesburg, which most of the groups visited. FIFA announced at the Expo that Cape Town is the preferred bidder for the World Cup 2010 Final Draw in December 2009.

The City said it will sell the naming rights to the new stadium to national or international bidders, and the process will start in early 2008. This will happen separately from the process to find the best long-term local or international operator for the stadium. Bidders for both will have to meet specific requirements.

Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin said the lively interest shown at the Soccer Expo means he is confident of positive results from the processes. “I’m very positive that when we go into the new round of tendering in January, we will get a highly qualified and able stadium operator, and the best naming rights.

“This stadium has the finest visual setting in South Africa and is close to the heart of downtown Cape Town, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Cape Town International Convention Centre and within walking distance of some of the finest hotels, restaurants, entertainment and business facilities," Haskin said.

Tender documents for the naming rights process will be available on 15 January 2008 on the City’s website http://www.capetown.gov.za/ or the City’s Tender Office. A marketing agency will be sought to facilitate the bid.

For those bidders seeking to become the stadium operator, documentation will be available from 18 February 2008. A consortium with the skills and experience needed to operate the multi-purpose stadium is being sought. The City is hoping the operator will be appointed by June 2008.

The stadium will also host nine 2010 FIFA World Cup matches – more than any other single South African stadium.

Once the 2010 FIFA World Cup is over, the stadium will have 13 000 seats from its upper tier removed to create usable facility space. The multi-purpose stadium will still have 55 000 seats, and will be suitable for football, rugby, music concerts and other major events.

Construction of the stadium is on track, with final completion due for 15 December 2009.