FIFA Fan Fests

The Fan Fest™ will be open every day of the Competition, from 10:00 to midnight, with live broadcasts of all 64 matches. Entrance is free. The FIFA Fan Fest™, at the Grand Parade, is located approximately 100m from Cape Town Station off Strand Street.

The Grand Parade, newly upgraded by the City of Cape Town at a cost of around R22 million, can host up to 25 000 people. It is Cape Town’s oldest public space and one of its most important heritage sites – where Nelson Mandela first spoke to the world as a free man 20 years ago.

The following items are not allowed at the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest: Aerosol cans, bottles, cans, cups, thermoses, beverage containers (except approved cups), glass, dangerous weapons, flagpoles, banner poles, laser-pointing devices, pyrotechnics, sticks, poles, umbrellas longer than 40cm.

The FIFA Fan Fest will be wheelchair friendly and there will be dedicated viewing areas for disabled guests.

Popular Afro-Jazz musician Jimmy Dludlu will perform at the opening day of the tournament, on 11 June. 

Visitors can also expect to see performances by the likes of chart-topping duo Goldfish, R&B award-winning artist Loyiso, renowned jazz artist Robbie Jansen and Friends, the urban-pop group Gang of Instrumentals, pop and R&B artist Danny K, dance and pop outfit The Rockets and premier bands Freshly Ground, Prime Circle, Flat Stanley and the Flash Republic, to name but a few.

Joining the headline acts on stage will be the finalists from an audition process conducted throughout the city and culminating at GrandWest’s Grand Arena earlier this month.  The auditions attracted over 3000 entrants, from imbongis to jugglers, magicians, rappers, rock bands, opera singers, drummers and dancers.  The lineup included 246 acts and 1280 individual performers from across the metropole.  Judges finally selected 162 to represent the City.

Over and above watching live bands and talented young performers, visitors can also expect to see top DJs and a world-class a laser light display.  Various days will also be themed to reflect different countries and occasions, such as Youth Day on 16 June and these details will be released to the press shortly.

Food and refreshment kiosks will offer a taste of traditional Cape Town as well as perennial favourites.  For a local flavor, visitors can choose from dishes of Malay chicken curry, lamb neck poitjie, boerewors rolls and biltong. However, internationally popular food items will also be available.  These include beef burgers, hot dogs, chicken prego rolls, fish gourjons, calamari, lasagna, vegetable soup and French fries.  Snacks include crisps, chocolate and ice cream and all dishes will be Halaal.

Hot and cold drinks will be on offer and wine and beer will be available for sale to visitors over the age of 18.

The Grand Parade has a capacity for 25 000 and numbers will be strictly controlled by the private security, emergency services and SAPs forces on the ground.  To enter the Fan Fest, visitors will need to pass through security check points positioned in Darling Street and at the corner of Buitenkant and Longmarket Streets.  Children under the age of 14 will have to be accompanied by an adult and items of food, alcohol, weapons or drugs being brought into the Fan Fest will be confiscated.

Transport to Public Viewing Areas (PVAs)

The PVAs are well served by regular minibus public transport services that operate from ranks at the nearby rail stations and public transport interchanges. The cost of the journey will depend on the distance travelled.
•    Bellville Velodrome off Durban Road is linked to Bellville Station via minibus taxi services.
•    The Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone, off Klipfontein Road is accessible via Athlone Station.
•    OR Tambo Sports Hall in Khayelitsha is located on Lansdowne Road, and within 500m of Nonkqubela Station.
•    Swartklip Sports Hall in Mitchells Plain is located on the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way, and within walking distance of Mitchells Plain Station and Town Centre.

Non-Motorised Transport (Walking and cycling)
The City has created certain dedicated pedestrian and bicycle routes in the city centre so that fans can walk and cycle about easily, while at the same time enjoying the festive spirit.

The Fan Walk route covering a distance of 2,5 km, runs from Cape Town Station on Adderley Street, and the Grand Parade, along Waterkant Street, across the new pedestrian bridge at Buitengragt, along Somerset Road, to the stadium. Fans are strongly encouraged to walk between the city centre and stadium, due to transport delays.

Various private dealerships will offer bicycles for rent, with lockup facilities provided around the stadium. However, cycling along the fan walk on match days is not advised during the peak period between four hours before kick-off, and two hours after the final whistle, due to the large volumes of pedestrians expected