Cape Town Stadium is gearing up to host one of the world’s top football teams when world famous English Premier League’s Manchester United takes on Ajax Cape Town in an MTN Football Invitational game on 21 July, 2012.
The City of Cape Town will be activating the Fan Walk, and will make all of the Cape Town Stadium’s 55 000 seats across its three tiers available.
There will also be a full transport offering, allowing Capetonians a chance to once again re-live the fever associated with the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
Kick-off is at 15:00 and prices range from R150 to R350. Tickets to the much-anticipated encounter have sold out on Computicket, but it’s worth looking out for cancellations or extra availability.
Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, said Manchester United had requested the World Cup experience during negotiations for the fixture.
“The City is proud to be associated with a leading brand such as Manchester United and this association helps position Cape Town as a premier events destination. Matches such as this act as a great unifier of people and hence will have a very positive impact on the city,” he said.
The Premiership team is likely to be accompanied by at between 70 and 100 foreign media outlets, and will broadcast the game live, which will give Cape Town valuable exposure, Pascoe said.
The visit will form part of the MTN Football Invitational to highlight the aims of Mandela Day on 18 July. Fans at the match will sing happy birthday to the former president in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of people singing collectively in one place.
The Reds will be playing AmaZulu at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Mandela’s actual birthday on 18 July.
Manchester United has undertaken to field the strongest squad possible, although seven of their top players such as Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra who are playing in the Uefa European Championships may not be able to make it.
Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: “The training camp and matches in South Africa will be an important part of our preparations for the 2012/13 season and an excellent chance to renew our acquaintance with our loyal and enthusiastic fans in South Africa. Everyone has fond memories of the visits there in 2006 and 2008 and, of course, of the exceptional organisation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.”
A Manchester United training session on 20 July will be open to the public, and they will also hold a coaching clinic for youngsters. Tickets for these are available on Computicket.
