The 2010 FIFA World Cup and women's experiences in Fan Parks.

Abstract

The ex~sting body of research on mega-events has so far focused on wider economic impacts, with little attention being given to the social impacts of large sporting events on vis~tors and local residents. Specifically gender issues are neglected in relation to the FlFA World Cups since it is often assumed that these events are male dominant, both in terms of participants and spectators. However, Manzenreiter and Horne (2002) indicate the growing interest among women in soccer as both participants and attendees. In South Africa a significant proportion of attendees at both stadiums and Fan Parks were women. Fan Parks in particular were introduced in the 2006 German World Cup and have emerged as key spaces for residents and tourists to experience the event outside the stadiums. During the World Cup, visitors to the host cities (non-locals) were interviewed at Fan Parks and Stadium Prec~ncts in Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. A purposive, systematic sampling approach was adopted and interviews were conducted on all match days. Elght hundred and thirty three (833) women were interviewed at the Fan Parks in these c~ties. The analysis also draws on observations made by the authors at the Fan Parks. This Article presents the experiences, perceptions and concerns of these female respondents in relation to the World Cup and Fan Parks.