Johannesburg Feature

After years or preparation and planning, South Africa is ready to host the largest sporting event in the world, the World Cup, in 2010. The month-long tournament will be held at venues across South Africa, but Jo'burg will host the prestigious opening ceremony as well as the grand finale.

World Cup games will be played at the two main stadiums in Johannesburg (Soccer City and Ellis Park) and in two stadiums near the city (Loftus Versfeld and Royal Bafokeng). All have been upgraded for the tournament. The four stadiums will host 26 matches.

Soccer City, in Soweto, will host the opening ceremony and the final match. The stadium can seat more than 90,000 fans.

Address: Nasrec Road, Doornfontein, Johannesburg

Match Schedule: June 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 27, and July 2 and 11

Ellis Park is the venue for additional matches. The stadium holds more than 60,000 people and is east of the city center.

Address: Staib Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg

Match Schedule: June 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, and July 3

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, a little farther afield in Pretoria, but still easily accessible from Johannesburg, seats 45,000 people.

Address: Kirknees Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria

Match Schedule: June 13, 16, 19, 23, 25, and 29

Royal Bafokeng Stadium, only two hours' drive from Johannesburg, has 42,000 seats.

Address: R565, Rustenberg

Match Schedule: June 12, 15, 19, 22, 24, and 26

Transportation: Fans will be required to use park-and-ride facilities so will not be able to use private vehicles or taxis to approach the stadiums. Public transport for the tournament has not been finalized at this writing; the FIFA Web site has up-to-date information.

Information: 011/375-5555 Johannesburg Tourism Company www.joburg.org.za/fifaworldcup.