The red carpet is being rolled out for international football stars and fans, who are in the city of gold for the Festival of Champions.

JOBURG is ready for the Festival of Champions, aka the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009™.

Tickets are on sale, the draw has been done, fans are anxious to to catch sight of their favourite players - and all eyes are on Johannesburg as the host for the opening ceremony and final match.

The city's famous Ellis Park Stadium, home to countless rugby and football internationals, is the venue for the opening match in the tournament: the home team versus Iraq.

The Confederations Cup, seen by many as the dress rehearsal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, takes place from 14 to 28 June.

It brings together the various continental champions - the winners of each of the FIFA confederation championships - and, of course, the current World Cup holders and the host country.
 
Taking part this year are Egypt, representing Africa; Iraq representing Asia; Concacaf champions, the United States; Europe's top team, Spain; Oceania's New Zealand; South American champions, Brazil; current World Cup holders, Italy, and 2010 hosts, South Africa.

The eight teams play in two pools in the early rounds of the tournament: in Group A are Iraq, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain; in Group B are Brazil, Egypt, Italy and the States.

Key role
Joburg has a key role in the international event. Besides the opening game, Ellis Park is the venue of the opening ceremony, two other group matches, a semi-final and the final.

Furthermore, Joburg is the home-base for one of the eight teams.

Ellis Park Stadium was refurbished ahead of the tournament. With a capacity of 62 000, it is perfectly placed to take pride of place. The city also has a number of venues for team training:

•     The 40 000-seat Orlando Stadium in Soweto;
•     Dobsonville Stadium, also in Soweto; and
•     Rand Stadium, in Pioneer Park.

Welcoming the Confederations Cup, Johannesburg has put on its finest show, with streets adorned with colourful and vibrant posters advertising the tournament.

The faces of popular local football stars and fans wearing striking makarapas and blowing vuvuzelas on huge banners are also be a common sight in public places as the tournament is celebrated.

International stars
Football fans have the chance of a lifetime to see international football stars like Kaka and Fernando Torres display their skills on Joburg turf.

And the excitement has not escaped South African cricket players Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Smith, who are keen to get sports fans to fill up stadiums hosting the Confederations Cup.

But those who won't be able to watch matches at stadiums will be able to view them live on several huge TV screens at nine city parks.

For international football fans visiting Joburg for the competition, there are excellent accommodation and tourist sites in and around the city. They can choose from numerous five-star hotels and world-class bed and breakfasts - be it in the upmarket suburb of Sandton, or the vibrant township of Soweto.

For the first time in history, FIFA is contracting non-hotel accommodation, such as national parks, bed and breakfasts, lodges and guest houses. Already, in the country as a whole, 80 000 graded rooms are on offer - more than enough to cover the number of 55 000 required by FIFA.

Transport
Getting to the match venue at Ellis Park will be easy and safe. The City is running a free park and ride facility - iTransie 2 Ellis Park - from four venues.

In addition, Gauride complements Johannesburg's iTransie 2 Ellis Park project by offering transport to games outside of Joburg and giving rides to fans outside of the city to Ellis Park.

Hosting the Confederations Cup and the World Cup will leave a lasting impression on Joburg. Four stadiums - Ellis Park, Orlando, Dobsonville and Rand stadiums - have been upgraded to FIFA standards, giving Joburg world-class football facilities.

The dusty township of Soweto is slowly transforming into a green space with thousands of trees being planted under the Greening Soweto project.

In the inner city, beautiful street furniture and art has been installed and rail and road infrastructure has been improved.