A spectacular view along the the Durban skyline, the newly built Moses Mabhida Stadium will host five first round games as well as one of the two semi-finals at next summer's World Cup.

The 54,000 seat stadium, which will have an additional 16,000 for the World Cup, is right on the spectacular Durban shoreline. It is one of the many architectural innovations that is being displayed in South Africa next summer.

Moses Mabhida represents a rags to riches story, as he was born into a poor peasant family and eventually became the leader of the South African Communist Party. He is a beacon of hope for all, in a country that is just coming into its own.

The stadium, which has 150 corporate seats, began construction in January of 2007 after the demolition of Kings Park Stadium in June of 2006. The stadium was officially completed on November 24th of this year and will be used for numerous types of events, including the possibility of the Olympics.

The spectacular white arch soaring over the stadium, which goes from two legs into one, represents the unity of a country that was once divided by race. Breathtaking views await those who are brave enough to take a cable car to the top of the arch.

Durban is generally considered the largest port in Africa, and is home to the "Golden Mile," a four kilometer stretch of beaches, promenades, pools and restaurants that are sure to be major tourist attractions throughout the competition. Because of the warm waters year round, and the beautiful sand and water, Durban is often considered one of the top 10 family beach destinations in the world.

To pay tribute to the beautiful landscape, the seats of Moses Mabhida Stadium have been painted blue to represent the water, and brown and white to represent the sand.

Attractions outside of soccer are abundant throughout Durban. UShaka Marine World is Africa's largest marine-themed park and has the fifth largest aquarium in the entire world.

Florida Road, along with Davenport and Swapo Ave, will be hot spots for eating and nightlife. You will also find the SunCoast Casino and Sibaya Casino in these areas.

For those who are looking for a place to shop, the two casinos, numerous vintage markets, and The Gateway Theatre of Shopping will meet every one of your needs.

Home to 3.5 million, Durban will be one of the major attractions during the World Cup as it is already a major tourist attraction on the rare occasions they aren't hosting a major sporting event.