All eyes will be focused on Cape Town on 4 December 2009 when the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ takes place.
An estimated 700 million television viewers will be watching as the draw is made to determine the match order of the 32 participating teams.
Representatives of all these teams, as well as FIFA executives, guests, celebrities, sponsors and the international media will witness the draw, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. An estimated 8 000 people will attend.
The Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg will provide entertainment during the 90 minute live show.
"This is a major event for our city and will be watched live in some 200 countries," says Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
The Final Draw is also an opportunity for Cape Town to welcome the world, and showcase its preparations for the World Cup™.
In order to maximise this exposure, a comprehensive host city programme is being developed to ensure that it will be a memorable occasion for all those attending, as well as television viewers worldwide.
There will be activities organised by FIFA, the Local Organising Committee, the City of Cape Town, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, and other stakeholders.
The Final Draw also coincides with the start of Cape Town's festive season, which will enable the city to also show off its beauty and its people.
The events surrounding the Final Draw include:
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The switch-on of the festive lights in Adderley Street on Sunday 29 November 2009.
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FIFA executives, including Sepp Blatter, arrive in Cape Town on 30 November.
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A mayoral reception for visiting dignitaries will be held on Signal Hill on 2 December.
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A reception for the "FIFA family" will be held at Leeuwenhof, the official residence of the Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille.
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FIFA executives will visit Robben Island on 3 December.
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While the Final Draw is taking place inside the CTICC at 19:00 on 4 December, a public viewing and street party will be held in Long Street, Cape Town's party street.
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FIFA's first Football for Hope Centre will be opened in Khayelitsha on 5 December.
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Cape Town will host the World Broadcasters Conference at Maiden's Cove on 5 December.
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On 14 December, the new Cape Town Stadium will be officially handed over by the contractors to the City of Cape Town.
The Final Draw will also give Cape Town an opportunity to highlight its preparations for the
World Cup™ and the legacy benefits that the event will bring to the city.
Cape Town will be hosting eight matches, including a semi-final. Four out of five of the estimated 500 000 visitors expected in South Africa are likely to visit Cape Town before, during or after the event.
Preparations are on track, with most of the construction work complete or nearing completion, and the focus is now turning to the operational testing and readiness phase.
"If Capetonians are superb hosts, we will have thousands of ambassadors, return visitors and investors. This is the chance to prove what we're worth on a scale that has never before been possible," says Plato.