The DHL Stadium, also known as the Cape Town Stadium, stands as a prominent landmark in Cape Town, South Africa. Constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it has since become a versatile venue for various sports, music, and cultural events.
Aerial view of Cape Town Stadium
Early History and Construction
During the planning phase, the stadium was commonly referred to as the Green Point Stadium, named after the older stadium situated on an adjacent site. Construction commenced in March 2007 and was completed in 33 months by joint venture contractors Murray & Roberts (now Concor) and WBHO.
The project's architectural design was a collaboration between GMP Architects of Germany and local firms, Louis Karol Architects and Point Architects. The stadium was officially handed over to the City of Cape Town on December 14, 2009.
Design and Features
The Cape Town Stadium has been crafted to take full advantage of the beauty of the area. Of particular interest is the design of the stadium’s roof. At night, lit up against the black sky, the stadium appears to be a floating rose-shaped bowl.
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Don’t be fooled by its bicycle wheel-like appearance. This glass-panelled roof has in fact been built according to a groundbreaking design, which protects spectators from rain and strong winds, lets light in, and reduces noise from within.
The stadium's roof design
Key facts about the stadium:
- Full Name: DHL Stadium
- Location: Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa
- Owner: City of Cape Town
- Capacity: 58,300
- Field Size: 125m x 68m
- Surface: Grass
- Construction Cost: R 4.4 billion (USD $ 600 million£ 415 million)
- Architects: GMP Architects, Louis Karol Architects, Point Architects
2010 FIFA World Cup
Cape Town Stadium was built to serve as a playing venue for the 2010 World Cup. For the 2010 World Cup an extra temporary 13,000 seats were installed that lifted capacity to 68,000. The stadium hosted five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarter-final, and one semi-final.
Tenants and Events
It is the home ground of Premier Soccer League clubs Ajax Cape Town (since 2010) and Cape Town City (since 2016). In late 2020, Western Province RFU decided to move their home games from Newlands Stadium to Cape Town Stadium. So, since 2021, the Stormers rugby team and the Currie Cup side WP have called Cape Town Stadium their home.
The first game to be hosted at the new Cape Town Stadium was a Cape Town derby between Ajax Cape Town and Santos on 23 January 2010 as part of the official inauguration of the stadium.
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The stadium has also hosted international rugby union matches played by South Africa's Springboks. In July 2021 the Springboks defeated the British & Irish Lions in a 3 match series that were hosted at the stadium.
The World Rugby Sevens Series hosts a tournament each year in Cape Town, traditionally in December. In September 2022, DHL Stadium played host to the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
The Cape Town Stadium hosted the sixth edition of Roger Federer's Matches for Africa, a series of charity tennis matches. It took place on 7 February 2020 and featured Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Cape Town Stadium for the "Match for Africa"
Inside Cape Town Stadium: Africa's Premier Event Venue"
Post-World Cup Developments
Following the World Cup, temporary rows of seating on either side on the top tier were replaced by events suites and clubrooms, reducing the stadium's capacity to 58,300. The stadium features corporate hospitality suites, medical, training, and conferencing and banqueting facilities.
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The Greenpoint Park was completed within a year of the World Cup ending as was promised to the people of Cape Town during the public consultation process preceding stadium construction.
Naming Rights
In June 2021, the City of Cape Town entered into a four-year naming rights partnership with DHL, officially renaming the venue as DHL Stadium.
Location and Accessibility
Situated in Green Point, the stadium is situated between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, near the Cape Town city center and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a well-known tourist and shopping location. A new road connection, Granger Bay Boulevard, links the stadium to the waterfront.
Cape Town Stadium in Popular Culture
Cape Town Stadium was featured in the film Safe House (2012).
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