On Saturday 23 January, 20 000 lucky football fans will get to test the brand new R4.5 billion Cape Town Stadium at the inaugural match of the Cape Town Stadium Soccer Festival.

The match, which is hosted by the City of Cape Town and sponsored by Virgin Active, will be between Premier Soccer League giants Santos and Ajax Cape Town. The twenty thousand tickets that were allocated for the match have all been sold.

Regretfully all tickets are now sold out (15 January 2010)

“The Cape Town Stadium Soccer Festival affords us the chance to celebrate the ingenuity of the team behind the magnificent Cape Town Stadium, as well as the rich traditions of Cape Town football,” says Ross Faragher-Thomas, Managing Director of Virgin Active, the official sponsor of the Cape Town Soccer Festival.

“The Cape Town Stadium is a venue that should make all South Africans proud, not just those from the mother city, and we at Virgin Active are delighted to play our part in this most historic of occasions.

The schedule for the day is:

14:00 Gates open
Roving podium entertainment
15:20 Official blessing of the field and opening of the stadium
15:30 Musical performance by Freshly Ground
16:00 Ajax Cape Town vs Santos game 1st half
16:45 Vuvuzela orchestra performance
17:00 Ajax Cape Town vs Santos game 2nd half
17:45 Final whistle
17:55 Official trophy ceremony
19:00 Gates close

The match is being used as an opportunity for the operators of the stadium, SAIL STADEFRANCE to test the stadium’s systems and processes by slowly building-up to the full 68 000 capacity in a number of different games before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™event.

Getting there - parking and transport arrangements

The City will provide a free shuttle bus service from the Civic Centre in Hertzog Boulevard to the stadium and back for fans who have not purchased pre-paid parking tickets at the stadium. To use this facility, all fans need do is present their match tickets.  Traffic Services and volunteer staff will be on hand to assist with parking and pedestrian access to the shuttle service. The service will run from 12:00 to 19:30 and is within an easy walking distance from the free parking areas. It is also conveniently located for public transport users of Cape Town Station, Station Deck and the Golden Arrow Bus Terminus. Security will also be provided.

Free secure parking areas will also be available in the Foreshore area, and will be well sign posted.  

No parking will be permitted at Cape Town Stadium other than for pre-paid parking ticket holders.  This applies also to any buses and minibus taxis that do not have pre-paid parking tickets.

Around the stadium and nearby residential areas extensive no parking restrictions will apply.  Any illegal parking will be backed by strict law enforcement.

A helpline has been set up for those who require additional information on the event and can be reached on 021 487 6800. Click here for general maps and information, and here for transport specific maps and information.

As these transport and parking arrangements are being tested for the first time on Saturday, the City appeals to all fans to be patient and display understanding.