The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is built in the heart of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The five-tier, R2-billion (approximately $159-million) stadium is overlooking the North End Lake and is one of three coastal stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The roof of the stadium is made up of ‘white petals’ making it look like a flower. From here then the nickname for the stadium – The Sunflower. The unique roof structure is orientated to local climate conditions and protects spectators not only against the sun but also and particularly, against the frequent onshore winds.
The stadium building is approximately 40m high and consist of six levels on the western side and five levels on the eastern, southern and northern sides. The stadium seats 45 000 in addition to 4,000 extra seats, temporarily installed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The seats are of different shades, from light orange to dark red. They are arranged seemingly at random, but this was done to help the stadium appear full at all times. It also means that sun damage is less of a problem and replaced seats are less noticeable. 450km of cables ensure that the 35 load speakers, 2 big screens, 2 score boards and 225 security cameras are linked to the HMI technical system
The playing surface is made of natural grass that was grown off site, in the St Albans area. The areas surrounding the pitch are made of artificial turf. The field was designed to be able to accommodate both football and rugby. A 'pitch grow' lighting system is used to ensure that all grass on the pitch grows properly. A unit with 61,000 watt bulbs is used to help grow certain parts of the pitch covered by shadow due to the stadium roof.
After the FIFA World Cup, December 2nd 2010 saw the removal of the field and its replacement with a natural dune sand base, seeded with a regenerating perennial rye grass. In January 2011 the field was stitched with a synthetic binding twine. This Desso product allowed the grass root structure to secure itself in the sand creating a stronger and more durable field. The length of twine stitched into the field is enough to stretch around the circumference of the globe once.
June 16th 2009 saw the first event hosted at the stadium between the British Irish lions and the Southern Kings. Since then the Stadium has hosted Currie Cup rugby, Vodacom Cup rugby, PSL soccer, international soccer, rugby tests matches, IRB Sevens, international and local concerts, Craven Week rugby, the recent introduction of the Southern Kings into Super Rugby, as well as corporate events and expos. All equating to over a million people through the doors by mid 2012.