Introduction
The purpose of this document is to create awareness around probable business travel restrictions during the Soccer World Cup to be held June - July 2010. Although the official World Cup is 11 June - 11 July 2010, the period between March and July 2010 will be an exceptionally busy period with the pre- and post- arrangements that will have a huge impact on business travel. The grid below indicates the magnitude of the disruption to business travel over this period which includes other major events beside the FIFA World cup.
School Holidays
27 March - 11 April, 26 April
10 June - 11 July
Events
Cape Argus 14-Mar
Comrades 30-May
Cape Epic 21 - 28 March
Two Oceans 03-Apr
Durban July 03-Jul
Grahams Town Festival 20 June - 08 July
2010 World Cup
11 June - 11 July
Public Holidays
Human Rights day 21-Mar
Public Holiday 22-Mar
Good Friday 02-Apr
Family Day 05-Apr
Freedom Day 27-Apr
Workers Day 01-May
Youth Day 16-Jun
Around 2010 World Cup
Media Groups Arrive 25 April and depart two weeks after final
Supporters arrive Around 6 June until departure after post tours
FIFA Family arrive Around 01 May until 2 weeks after final
Overview of what is to be expected during the World Cup:
1. Volume of Travellers expected
The World Cup is approximately 15 times bigger than the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The media contingent that will attend is estimated at 30 000. Business travel is disrupted purely due to the volume of supporters. All indications are that approximately 220 000 long haul visitors will attend, 180 000 visitors from Africa and an average of 150 000 local supporters. On any match day it is envisaged that 100 000 travellers will need to use a travel commodity i.e. flight or road / rail transportation.
An additional 2 000 busses have been imported (overload on road transport) to carry these supporters. It is predicted that supporters will watch their team play every 3 or 4 days. When their teams are not playing, supporters will frequent the Fan Parks or embark on tours within the city of their choice.
2. Fan Parks
Fan Parks are situated in central areas so that general public can watch all the games. Entrance to the Fan Parks is free and it is expected that these Fan Parks will attract a lot of visitors. In Germany 2006 one Fan Park attracted 500 000 spectators to watch one game. To avoid large transport infrastructure expense, training venues will also double as public viewing sites.
Fan Parks in the Western Cape
The Grand Parade
Somerset West Road
Stellenbosch
Bellville Velodrome
Swartklip
Atlantis
Khayelitsha
Nomzamo Yethu (Hout Bay)
Training Facilities in the Western Cape
Newlands Rugby Ground
UCT Rugby Ground
UWC Soccer Field
Bellville Rugby Ground
Stellenbosch Rugby Ground
Athlone Stadium
Fan Parks in Johannesburg (list to be updated)
Mary Fitzgerald Square in the Newton precinct
Fan Parks in Soweto are to be expected.
Innes-Free Park in Sandton,
Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown
Fan Parks in Durban (list to be updated)
The Durban Beach Front has been earmarked as one of Durban’s preferred sites for one or more Fan Parks during 2010.
3. Flights
To date no airline has released any prices or strategies for the World Cup period.
On pre and post match-days flights into and out of the venue cities will be overbooked. Due to the sheer volume of travellers, huge delays can be expected.
World Cup teams will use charter aircrafts and plan to use 2nd tier airports however their supporters will use the general airports. These airports will focus on scheduled international and domestic flights.
4. Accommodation
All the major hotel brands within South Africa have contracted with MATCH at a pre-defined room rate and therefore the normal Corporate rates will not be available during this period.
According to FIFA there is an approximate shortfall of 18 000 rooms for the World Cup. This supply and demand scenario allows B&B’s / Guesthouses to offer rooms at a premium.
5. Car Rental
It is most likely that all car rental companies will go on “stop-sale” for the period of the World Cup and rental cars will be scarce.
6. Road Closures
It is indicated that there will be limited access and in some instances complete road closures in the areas surrounding the stadium and fan parks. This will make it difficult for travellers to move freely between offsite meetings.
7. Critical Date
The next critical date for the WC2010 is the 4th December 2009 when the Pool draw is completed. This draw will indicate where the teams will be based and where their supporters will be spending most of their time.
8. Fixtures
The match schedule will be updated after the draw on the 4th December 2009. Games will be played at: 13h30, 16h00 and 20h30. Travellers need to allow for traffic congestion both at the stadium and the Fan Parks. It is advisable to allow 2hrs lead time if travelling to / from these areas.
Recommendations for travel during this period
1. Do not travel during these periods unless it is critical to travel.
2. Plan your trip well in advance, changes to a ticket over this period will be extremely difficult and very expensive.
3. Try to make appointments at a location that is in the opposite direction of a stadium / fan park..
4. Take flights during the times of when the games are being played. Games start at 13h30.
5. Allow for a minimum of 2 hours to get to the airport in Cape Town and possibly 3 hours for Johannesburg.
6. The congestion on the roads both to and from the Airports is going to be chaotic – plan for delays.
7. Parking at the airport will be virtually impossible and it is advisable to get someone to drop / collect you from the airports.
8. Transfer companies will be busy with tourists and will also be very expensive.
