Johannesburg - The economic hub of Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling, sprawling city of contrasts, spread across the small but densely populated province of Gauteng. Two Johannesburg stadiums will be used for the event. These are:

• Soccer City (Johannesburg) - The Soccer City stadium near Soweto in Johannesburg is to undergo a major upgrade for the 2010 tournament, with a new design inspired by traditional African pottery and a revamped capacity for 104 000 football fans. The stadium will hold the final and opening matches, five first-round matches, one second-round match and one quarter-final.
• Ellis Park (Johannesburg) - Ellis Park, which lies near the Johannesburg city centre, is to undergo minor upgrades for 2010, and has a capacity of 60 000. It will host five first-round matches, one second-round and one quarter-final.

Pretoria - A pretty, quiet city north of Johannesburg in Gauteng, Pretoria is the capital of South Africa, with a long, involved and fascinating history. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Loftus Versveld (Pretoria) - Loftus Versveld stadium is to undergo minor upgrades for 2010, and has a capacity of 45 000. It will host four first-round matches and one second-round.

Cape Town - South Africa's oldest and loveliest city lies in Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, in the south of the Western Cape province. Beautiful buildings, the nearby winelands, long white beaches and a rich cultural life make Cape Town South Africa's most favoured tourist destination. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Greenpoint Stadium (Cape Town) - Greenpoint Stadium is to be specially built for 2010, with a view out over Table Bay and the magnificent vista of Table Mountain forming a backdrop behind it. The stadium will have an all-weather retractable dome roof and a capacity of 70 000. It will host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.

Durban - If Johannesburg has a business culture and Cape Town a culture culture, Durban has a beach culture. The warm Indian Ocean and the city's tropical climate make it one of the nicest places to be in the South African winter. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• King Senzangakhona Stadium (Durban) - The stunning King Senzangakhona Stadium is to be specially built, with a walkway connecting it to the Durban beachfront. With a capacity of 80 000, it will host six first-round matches, one second-round, and one semifinal match.

Port Elizabeth - The Friendly City lies in Nelson Mandela Bay on the windswept Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape province. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Nelson Mandela Stadium (Port Elizabeth) - Also to be specially built for 2010, the Nelson Mandela Stadium will have a capacity of 50 000. It will host five first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final, and the third-place playoff.

Bloemfontein - The former capital of a Boer republic and now capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein - the name means "flower fountain" - is a pretty city with thousands of rose bushes and some poignant memorials. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein) - Currently known as Vodacom Park, the Free State Stadium is to have a major upgrade, with a third tier added, increasing its capacity to 45 000. It will host five first-round matches and one second-round.

Rustenburg - Its tranquil Jacaranda-lined streets belie the fact that the Rustenburg area in North West province is one of the world's most heavily mined regions, with a wealth of platinum underground. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenburg) - Built by the platinum-rich Bafokeng community, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium is to undergo a minor upgrade, increasing its capacity to 45 000. It will host four first-round matches and one second-round.

Nelspruit - The capital of Mpumalanga province lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, about 330km east of Johannesburg. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit) - To be specially built for 2010, the stadium has a capacity of 30 000 and will host four first-round matches.

Polokwane - The capital of Limpopo province is ideally situated near the border of the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park. The venue where world cup matches will be played is:

• Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) - The stadium is to undergo a major upgrade, increasing its capacity to 40 000. It will host four first-round matches.