FNB Stadium (Soccer City)
Overview & Capacity
The iconic 87,436-seat FNB Stadium (aka Soccer City / The Calabash) doubles as a serious corporate events complex. Beyond concerts and matches, the west block houses a state-of-the-art 156-seat auditorium, the Presidential Suite (up to 250 gala), Super Suite (up to 250 gala), and the 1,754sqm Upper Concourse (up to 1,000 theatre / 600 banquet). Full-stadium hire available for mega activations. Same operator as adjacent Goldrush Dome.
The Story Behind FNB Stadium
The facts most venue listings never tell you — researched and source-checked by B&W Productions.
Africa's largest stadium, shaped like a calabash
The original FNB Stadium opened in 1989 and hosted Nelson Mandela's first Johannesburg speech after his release from prison on 13 February 1990. The stadium was rebuilt between 2007 and 2009 for R3.3 billion as a giant calabash — an African cooking pot — clad in 32,400 fibre-cement panels in fire-and-earth mosaic colours, with a ring of lights simulating fire under the pot.
Scale
94,736 seats make it the largest stadium in Africa. Record attendance: 94,807 for the 2015 Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. No seat in the stadium is more than 105 m from the centre of the field. For an event producer, 94,000 seats is both the opportunity and the challenge — filling it is the benchmark by which every South African entertainment event is measured.
Famous moments
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final (Spain 1–0 Netherlands) — and Nelson Mandela's final public appearance at its closing ceremony, waving to the crowd from a golf cart. His national memorial was held here in December 2013, attended by nearly 100 world leaders. U2 drew 94,232 in 2011. Chris Brown's two-night 'Breezy Bowl' in December 2024 drew a combined 189,472.
Things you didn't know
Ten vertical black lines divide the stands: nine point toward the other 2010 World Cup stadiums around South Africa, and the tenth points to Berlin's Olympiastadion — 'the road to the final,' connecting the 2006 and 2010 tournaments. It is one of the most deliberate pieces of architectural storytelling in any stadium in the world.
Right now
Travis Scott's sold-out show landed in October 2025. J. Cole is scheduled for December 2026, and the Springboks host the All Blacks here on 5 September 2026. The stadium remains the undisputed first choice for any event targeting maximum attendance in South Africa.
B&W Production Notes
- Yes
The premium stadium-events product in South Africa. Suites are underused by corporates who assume it's only for football/concerts. Strong for reveals wanting spectacle and scale.
Suitable For
What we like
- Africa's largest stadium; auditorium purpose-built for launches; iconic "Calabash" architecture; huge parking (13,700+ combined); flexible suite sizes from 30 to 1,000; adjacent to Goldrush Dome for combined-venue events
What to confirm
- Match/concert calendar clash dates; catering options (in-house preferred); AV supplier requirements; security/traffic-management inclusions in package
Real Google Rating
- Iconic 'Calabash' architecture, electric atmosphere during major matches (Soweto Derby), and well-maintained/clean facilities.
- Traffic and parking congestion (described as a 'nightmare'), long concession/ticketing lines, and unreliable cellular reception inside.
Amenities & Facilities
Quick Facts
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Frequently asked questions
Q.How many guests can FNB Stadium (Soccer City) accommodate?
FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Johannesburg caters for events from around 30 up to 94736 guests, depending on your layout and the spaces you book. Our team confirms the exact capacity for your event type when we handle your enquiry.
Q.Where is FNB Stadium (Soccer City) located?
FNB Stadium (Soccer City) is located in Nasrec, Johannesburg, Gauteng. B&W Productions arranges full event production here, from AV and staging to décor and catering coordination.
Q.How much does it cost to hire FNB Stadium (Soccer City)?
450-1200. Pricing varies with your date, guest numbers and inclusions, so confirm current rates when you enquire — B&W Productions can put together a full costed proposal for your event.
Q.Does FNB Stadium (Soccer City) offer catering and accommodation?
Catering — Yes. Accommodation — No.
Q.What types of events is FNB Stadium (Soccer City) best suited to?
FNB Stadium (Soccer City) works well for Product launches with scale; press conferences; large gala dinners; motor-industry reveals; PSL/major-event hospitality; end-of-year corporate parties. The premium stadium-events product in South Africa. Suites are underused by corporates who assume it's only for football/concerts. Strong for reveals wanting spectacle and scale.
Planning an event in Johannesburg? Explore B&W Productions event services in Johannesburg
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