City confirms DHL Stadium Cape Town to receive new pitch | City confirms DHL Stadium Cape Town to receive new pitch | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/_BES3581.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City of Cape Town is pleased to confirm that it has embarked on a process to install a new pitch at the DHL Stadium Cape Town. The future pitch will be a combination of artificial and natural grass – offering greater stabilisation and the most recent technology in pitch design, to ensure that the DHL Stadium remains aligned to the very best international benchmarks for both rugby and soccer. <br></p> | <p>The new pitch will also enable the stadium to have a speedier turnaround time for concerts – with less recovery time needed for the pitch as it will be more resilient. This will result in fewer potential date conflicts between concerts that are generally hosted during the week and sporting events over the weekends. </p><p>The DHL Stadium has experienced far more events than ever before. While this is an exciting time for the stadium and one that is resulting in the stadium being a venue of choice for both football and rugby, it has also meant that the pitch is experiencing foot traffic like never before. This includes the hosting of international events such as the British and Irish Lions, the Springbok Test against Wales as well as the Vodacom URC Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Finals. The DHL Stadium has also hosted a number of PSL soccer matches including Cape Town City FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. </p><p>Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said: 'The DHL Stadium has become a much loved landmark in our city, with hundreds of thousands of sport and music fans enjoying the performances being hosted here. We want to ensure that our stadium is benchmarked with the best in the world, so that it continues to attract the biggest events, and grows our local events industry. Making sure the pitch stays up to date with the latest technological advancements is part of our ongoing investment in Cape Town's place as the number one events destination in the world.'<br></p><p>DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said: 'We are very excited about this positive step forward. The pitch will be similar to what we had at Newlands, but the technology has changed dramatically over the last few years so we look forward to an even better playing experience.' <br></p><p>Lesley De Reuck, Stadium Chief Executive Officer said: 'The new pitch will ensure we remain on par with the best stadiums in the world – and continue to attract showcase events like the Vodacom URC Final, HSBC 7s, Monster Jam and international artists – contributing to our ongoing success.' <br></p><p>It is anticipated that the pitch replacement will happen between July and October 2023, subject to budget being made available and all necessary approvals being secured. The City will release a tender in this regard in October 2022. <br></p><p><strong>About DHL Stadium</strong></p><p>DHL Stadium boasts seating capacity of 62 000 and home matches of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province rugby teams as well as currently Cape Town City Football Club are played at the stadium. This world-class venue, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is globally recognised as part of Cape Town's breathtaking landscape, enjoying the backdrop of Table Mountain and the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. The DHL Stadium has hosted giants of the sporting and music world, including U2, Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, among others. More recently on 22 June, the DHL Stadium was the host to the Vodacom URC Final which saw the DHL Stormers claiming the championship. During the month of August, the DHL Stadium was host to the biggest football crowd since the lockdown with Cape Town City FC playing Kaizer Chiefs and in September the DHL Stadium successfully hosted the World Rugby Cup Sevens, with the HSBC 7s following in December 2022.<br></p><p><br></p> | 2022-09-29T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#de669d0f-b668-4ae7-92bb-b393edd91860;L0|#0de669d0f-b668-4ae7-92bb-b393edd91860|cape town stadium;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#6398d426-f799-44e8-abec-30af038afd7f;L0|#06398d426-f799-44e8-abec-30af038afd7f|Rugby;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |