FNB Stadium (also known as Soccer City or the Calabash) is a 94,736-capacity stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg, bordering Soweto. It is the largest stadium in Africa and the primary venue for major concerts and international sports events in South Africa. Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) operates the facility under a management agreement with the City of Johannesburg. It is best suited for stadium-scale touring artists and national sporting events, not for independent or emerging acts.
The Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 was held at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018, commemorating what would have been Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday. The event was headlined by Beyonce and Jay-Z and also featured Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Chris Martin, and Cassper Nyovest. The full event was live-streamed on the official Global Citizen YouTube channel:
History and Architecture
The stadium opened on October 7, 1989, with naming rights held by First National Bank. It underwent a major rebuild for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, designed by Populous (then HOK Sport) and Boogertman + Partners. The exterior resembles an African calabash (pot), with a mosaic of fire and earthen colors and a ring of lights simulating fire underneath. The upgrade cost R1.5 billion and increased capacity to 88,958 at the time. No spectator is seated more than 100 meters from the field, and there are no restricted views.
The stadium hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final (Spain vs. Netherlands), the opening match, and the closing ceremony. It also hosted the 1996 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Nelson Mandela's memorial service was held here on December 10, 2013, attended by heads of state including Barack Obama.
How the Venue Operates
FNB Stadium is home to Kaizer Chiefs Football Club. It also hosts Springboks rugby matches, including a confirmed Springboks vs. All Blacks test on September 5, 2026. SMSA manages bookings for both sporting and concert events. Concert bookings typically go through major promoters like Live Nation, Big Concerts, or G&G Productions.
The adjacent Goldrush Dome (a 10,500-capacity indoor venue opened in 2025 by Live Nation) sits next to FNB Stadium, creating a combined entertainment precinct in Nasrec. The area is accessible via the Gautrain (with a park-and-ride connection) and the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system. The M1 highway and Soweto Highway provide vehicle access.
Notable Concerts
FNB Stadium has hosted U2 (360 Tour), Coldplay (Mylo Xyloto Tour), Lady Gaga (Born This Way Ball), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Green Day, Travis Scott (Circus Maximus Tour), and J. Cole (The Fall-Off Tour). The Global Citizen Mandela 100 Festival in 2018 featured Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin, Usher, and Pharrell. South African rapper Cassper Nyovest filled the stadium for his "Fill Up FNB" concert in December 2017, selling 68,000 tickets.
Coldplay performed at FNB Stadium on October 8, 2011 as part of their Mylo Xyloto Tour, playing to approximately 62,000 people. The band filmed the closing segment of their "Paradise" music video during the show. The official video on the Coldplay YouTube channel has over 2 billion views:
Travis Scott made history on October 11, 2025, drawing over 75,000 fans for his Circus Maximus Tour and setting the record for South Africa's largest solo rap concert.
2026 Events
The 2026 calendar includes the Springboks vs. All Blacks rugby test on September 5, 2026, Kaizer Chiefs home matches throughout the Premier Soccer League season, and concert bookings promoted through Big Concerts and Live Nation. Check the SMSA website for the current event schedule.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
FNB Stadium is not a venue an independent artist can book directly. It is a stadium-scale facility used by major touring acts and national sports teams. Independent artists in Johannesburg should target smaller venues in the city (such as the Goldrush Dome, The Lyric Theatre, or Newtown venues) and build their audience before approaching stadium-level promoters.
However, major stadium concerts often need local support acts. If you have a strong following in South Africa and your genre matches a touring headliner, contacting the promoting company (Big Concerts or Live Nation South Africa) about support slot opportunities is a legitimate strategy. Use our Tour Revenue Calculator to model what a stadium support slot could add to your tour income.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- The stadium is located in Nasrec, which is not walkable from Johannesburg's entertainment districts (Maboneng, Melville, or Rosebank). Attendees must drive or use public transit.
- Parking is limited relative to capacity. Major events cause severe traffic congestion on the M1 and Soweto Highway.
- The venue is primarily a sports stadium. Acoustics for concerts are adequate but not optimized for music the way a dedicated arena would be.
- Two people were killed and 17 injured in a stadium crush on July 29, 2017, before a Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates match. Crowd management at high-profile events has been a concern.
Related Resources
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Estimate earnings from live performances
- How to Book Your First Tour: Step-by-Step Guide
- Touring Internationally as an Independent Artist
- Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026
- The Dome Johannesburg - A smaller Johannesburg venue at the indoor arena tier
- Stadium Management South Africa Official Website
