WORLD CUP 2010: Stadium guide - Sportsmail takes you around the grounds in South Africa
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Ten venues will be in the spotlight when the greatest show on the planet rolls into South Africa.
From Polokwane in the north to Cape Town in the south and two grounds in Johannesburg, Sportsmail takes a look the stadiums at the 2010 World Cup finals.
SOCCER CITY - Johannesburg
Capacity for World Cup: 94,700
Key fixtures:
June 11 - Opening match
June 27 - Last 16
July 2 - Quarter-final
July 11 - Final (eight fixtures in total)
Located in the south west of the city, the stadium's capacity is being raised from 80,000 for the tournament.
Built in 1987, it hosted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations final in which South Africa beat Tunisia.
ELLIS PARK STADIUM - Johannesburg
Capacity for World Cup: 62,000
Key fixtures:
June 28 - Last 16
July 3 - Quarter-final (seven in total)
First built in 1928 as a rugby union stadium, and then demolished and rebuilt in 1982, it hosted the Rugby World Cup final in 1995, which South Africa won. Home to Orlando Pirates.
GREEN POINT STADIUM - Cape Town
Capacity for World Cup: 70,000
Key fixtures:
June 11 - Opening-day group match
June 29 - Last 16
July 3 - Quarter Final
July 6 - Semi-final (eight in total)
The newly-built Green Point Stadium, close to the ocean and mountains of CapeTown, is scheduled for completion in December.
Replaces the 18,000 capacity stadium which was demolished in 2007.
MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM - Durban
Capacity for World Cup: 70,000
Key fixtures:
June 28 - Last 16
July 7 - Semi-final (seven in total).
Newly built on the site of the old Kings Park soccer ground just a few hundred yards from the Indian Ocean. The arch carries a cable car and viewing deck.
NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM - Port Elizabeth
Capacity for World Cup: 48,000
Key fixtures:
June 26 - Last 16
July 2 - Quarter-final
July 10 - Third-place play-off
(eight in total).
Completed in time for this summer's Lions rugby union tour, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose ground.
It was built especially for the tournament.
MBOMBELA STADIUM - Nelspruit
Capacity for World Cup: 46,000
Key fixtures:
Four first-round matches (four in total).
Another venue built for the World Cup, this stadium, about seven km north of Nelspruit, is situated close to the
world-famous KrugerNational Park.
LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM - Tshwane/Pretoria
Capacity for World Cup: 50,000
Key fixtures:
Five first-round matches
June 29 - Last 16 (six in total).
One of the oldest stadiums in South Africa, construction began in 1923.
Home to the Super 14 champions the Blue Bulls and a Springboks Test venue
FREE STATE STADIUM - Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Capacity for World Cup: 48,000
Key fixtures:
Five first-round matches
June 27 - Last 16 (six in total).
Upgraded from 38,000 for the World Cup, the ground hosted Spain's defeat to USA in the Confederations Cup. It is opposite Bloemfontein's cricket ground.
ROYAL BAFOKENG STADIUM - Rustenburg
Capacity for World Cup: 42,000
Key fixtures:
Five first-round matches
June 26 - Last 16 (six in total).
Built for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace was redeveloped for next summer.
Bowl-shaped with very open seating.
PETER MOKABA STADIUM - Polokwane
Capacity for World Cup: 46,000
Key fixtures:
Four first-round matches (four in total).
A largely concrete structure whose design is inspired by the Baobab tree, is scheduled for completion in 2010.