Cape Town gears up for 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw, which will determine where and against whom the 32 qualified teams will be playing in next year’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ soccer tournament, takes place on December 4, 2009 from 19h00 to 20h30 in front of some 3 000 international guests at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). It will be broadcast live to an estimated audience of 150-million viewers in 200 countries.

According to the City of Cape Town, FIFA executives, celebrities, members of the international media and representatives of each of the 32 qualifying teams will attend the event, which will also feature performances by the Soweto Gospel Choir and Johnny Clegg.

Fans will gather in Long Street to watch the Final Draw before celebrating on the legendary party street.

Click here for more information on the road closures during the Final Draw event.

The Long Street Festival

Capetonians will get their first taste of next year’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Fan Fest concept when the entire Upper Long Street, from Dorp Street to Buitensingel, is converted into a festival zone for the Final Draw on Friday, December 4. Cape Town Tourism invites you to come and Live it! Love it! LOUDER!

About 15 000 revellers are expected to gather at the Long Street festival area, which will have video links to the CTICC so that Capetonians can experience the excitement of the event on large viewing screens in the party heart of Cape Town.

Detailed facts on the Long Street Party

• The festivities will start at 12h00 noon with music and cultural performances with a South African and African flavour. These stage performances will be complemented by buskers to embrace the festival theme.
• FIFA President Joseph S Blatter will officially launch the FIFA Fan Fest project at 14h00. The Long Street Festival will mimic the fan fest concept that will be used during next year’s football spectacle.
• Entrance to the festival is free and we expect thousands of Capetonians to congregate at Long Street to share in the world’s excitement over the Final Draw. Although the festivities start at noon, the real action is only expected to pick up from 16h00. Be sure to make it down and diski dance to CODA’s song Blow Your Vuvuzela.
• Volunteers will guide people from the Grand Parade public parking areas to the festival’s five access points in Wale Street, Leeuwen Street, Pepper Street, and Bloem Street.
• The hundreds of restaurants and bars in Long Street will continue with normal business, and their staff will be subjected to the same security measures as the visiting public.
• See the six-part Final Draw programme here.

Cape Town gets set for a season to remember!

The Mother City’s legendary summer season is here and Capetonians could not be more ready! After months of rain, wind and chilly weather, locals are eager to get out and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
A treat for the eyes and ears, the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts attract hundreds of Capetonians every Sunday from late November to early April. Armed with picnic baskets and bottles of wine, music lovers flock to the gardens to enjoy some of the finest live music the city has to offer.

The much anticipated Final Draw – which will determine the match order for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ – takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on December 4. Fan Fest venues will be announced on Long Street on the same day. Fans are expected to gather in Long Street to watch the Final Draw on projection screens before celebrating on the festive street.

Party animals will celebrate all things fabulous at the Mother City Queer Project on December 19. The spectacular event will see thousands of fancy-dressed Capetonians paint the town pink until the early morning, at which point they’ll move on to exclusive parties at fantastic venues. This year’s party – themed “the tool box” – is set to be the summer’s most outlandish affair.

Plenty of events happening around the fabulous Mother City guarantee that the summer of 2009 will be one to remember.

Don't forget to add vuvuzelas, makarabas and your favourite team's football jersey to your Christmas wish-list this year – the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is just around the corner!

Magical Mother City sunsets

Nothing complements a Cape Town sunset quite like a cocktail enjoyed at one of the city’s swanky sun-downer spots.

Cape Town’s most famous icon, Table Mountain, is running “Sunset Specials” until late February. As Table Mountain’s official website suggests, drinks can be enjoyed “at the highest sundowner spot in the Mother City” after 6pm, when cable car tickets are half price.

The Cigar Bar and Lounge and the Chapman’s Peak Restaurant at the Chapman’s Peak Hotel award visitors the opportunity to soak up spectacular views of Hout Bay while sipping delicious cocktails.
Long Street is home to several festive restaurants and bars. Visitors can enjoy cocktails while sitting on the balcony overlooking the vibey street.

Visitors are encouraged to come and experience the magic of the Mother City in summer –  from spectacular sunsets to refreshing cocktails – and then again in winter for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ – for football, incredible gourmet experiences, spa treatments by the fireside and much more. Cape Town is truly South Africa's lifestyle capital.

FAQs

To ensure that you know all there is to know about the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ experience in the Mother City, look no further than the FAQ section of Cape Town Tourism’s dedicated 2010 FIFA World Cup™ section on www.capetown.travel.

Here’s one to get you going:

What is being put in place to ensure the safety and security of spectators at the 2010 World Cup?

The South African Police Service, disaster management teams, traffic law enforcement, emergency services, fire and rescue services and metropolitan police services are all implementing carefully prepared plans to ensure the safety of fans, so you can rest easy while enjoying the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ festivities in Cape Town. The city is even investing in new traffic vehicles and fire engines and employing additional staff and volunteers to ensure your safety and security.

In your own words

If you’ve always wanted to see your thoughts published – now’s the time! Cape Town Tourism would love to feature you on our 2010 FIFA World Cup™ blog. Send your 2010 FIFA World Cup™ stories about why Cape Town will be such a fabulous host city to 2010@capetown.travel and we’ll share your thoughts with the world.