FNB Stadium nominated for prestigious award
Home of the Soweto derby, ‘The Calabash’ will compete against the likes of Liverpool’s popular Anfield
ence of the Year category, for the 2016 Carling Black Label Champion Cup between Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The game, which was sold out 17 days prior to kick-off, saw Chiefs emerge victorious with a 2-0 win over bitter-rivals Pirates.
FNB Stadium, which is run by Stadium Management SA, will come up against some of the most popular sports stadiums in the world, such as Liverpool’s Anfield, Celtic’s Celtic Park and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
This week, the chief executive of FNB Stadium, Jacques Grobbelaar, gave some insight into running South Africa’s biggest stadium.
How tough is it to manage South Africa’s bi g g est stadium?
“It’s a mammoth task and also a great honour. We always strive towards bringing worldclass events to the venue, be it sports, music concerts or religious gatherings, and at the same time ensure the facility itself is properly managed and maintained to its world-class level.
“We host 105 dif ferent events a year. I still get goosebumps whenever I drive to or walk around this facility because of its breathtaking design, which remains a popular attraction with our visitors.”
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced since taking over as chief executive in 2009?
“It costs in the millions a month to maintain our facilities. When the markets are affected, we, too, feel the pinch.
“There were a lot of topclass inter national sporting and music acts we would have loved to have brought through to South Africa, but it ended up not being feasible.
“For us to even bring that act it would mean that we’d have to ask for an unreasonable charge on the ticket for our patrons… just to cover the costs and to break even.”
Which, would you say was the most successful event that FNB Stadium has held?
“Sold-out acts like U2, Rihanna, Bon Jovi and Justin Bieber (who is returning to perform at FNB Stadium next month on May 14).
“We’ve had great relationships with churches that use our facilities. We’ve hosted two Springbok rugby Tests, and obviously being a part of the 2010 Fifa World Cup and the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
“For me, the challenge and excitement that goes in to hosting the Soweto derby (Chiefs and Pirates) is beyond amazing.
“This is the biggest sporting showpiece in the southern hemisphere and one of the greatest products to come out of South Africa.”
What are the biggest changes you’ve brought to FNB Stadium?
“Being able to make this venue a multi-purpose facility that can host sporting, religious, political and music activities.
“Then, being in a position of bringing economic windfall and sustainable business and contributing towards our sur rounding Soweto communities.
“Don’t forget, in terms of our business model, we run the facilities and our events on a full-financial risk basis and don’t take a cent from taxpayers.
“As other venues depend on municipalities to be sustainable, we’re the only facility with this model in the country. I can only thank the collective work we have with our partners and co-anchors.”
If you could host any three events at FNB Stadium, which would they be?
“The Soweto derby will always be No 1 to me. As much as we already host it at FNB Stadium, I would still have this fixture and the experience of being a part of it.
“I’m driven to take rugby back to the community (too), having done so with the Springboks Tests here and with the Blue Bulls at Orlando Stadium.
“Having international artist and talented singer, Beyoncé, perform at one of the biggest venues in the world will be a great event to bring to South Africans.”