Thousands of Australian soccer fans will camp in tents on Durban's hallowed cricket ground, the Sahara Kingsmead Stadium, during the 2010 Fifa World Cup and even more fans are expected to pitch tents on open fields around the city.
Camping is proving to be a cheaper and preferred option for thousands of international soccer fans and Durban North schools are also preparing to give up their sports fields for visiting fans to pitch tents.
The cricket ground camping is being organised by Australian tour operator, Fanatics, who have chosen Durban as their headquarters for Australian fans. Kingsmead is expected to house about 1 500 happy campers.
Another 3 000 people are expected to camp at Northlands Primary School in Durban North, with two other schools also being lined up if interest in camping rises.
This CampDurban 2010 is the brainchild of former Durbanite Shaun van Wyk.
Van Wyk, who now lives in England, said he thought Durban would be perfect for camping because it would be warmer than any other major city, with an average maximum for June and July at 23°C.
"Cape Town will be too wet at that time of year, and inland will just be too cold."
Van Wyk said they were targeting the teams playing in Durban which included Australia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, Korea, Nigeria, Brazil and Portugal.
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Van Wyk estimates that fans who opt for CampDurban 2010 could save a small fortune, with sites at R250 per campsite per night for two people sharing.
The Socceroos play their first match against Germany at Moses Mabhida Stadium on June 13.
Chief executive of the Kingsmead Sahara Stadium, Cassim Docrat, said they expected to house about 1 500 Aussies on the field.
"The pitch will be cordoned off and will be controlled in terms of movement. Entry will be restricted to those who are camping on the site."
Docrat said they did expect some wear and tear, but believed there would be enough time to restore the pitch before the cricket season.
He said the infrastructure would be set up and the operation managed by Edusport.
Edusport managing director Ed Hill said they were using expert companies to set up the camp sites and tents.
He said the tents were 4 x 3m and would hold two people with tent beds and not sleeping bags.
"We have liaised with city Fire and Safety, Metro Police and there is an approved disaster management plan.
"The tents will be divided by 'streets' which have, in Durban fashion, been renamed after famous Australian soccer players," he said.
One street is named after Robbie Slater, who was the first Australian player to win the English Premier League while at Blackburn Rovers in 1993/94.
Another street has been named after Attila Abonyi, who was part of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad.
The bar has been named after Australia's most successful goalkeeper, Mark Bosnich, who won the FA Cup, World Club Championship, Premier League and European Cup Winners Cup during two spells at Manchester United. But in 2002, Bosnich was fired by Chelsea FC after failing a drugs test. He admitted to a cocaine habit.
While all the accommodation innovation is good news for fans, it's bad news for hospitality establishments who are set to lose out on thousands of potential patrons.
Head: Strategic Projects Unit and 2010 Programme eThekwini Municipality, Julie- May Ellingson, said existing accommodation should be taken up first and applications for temporary accommodation were only considered in special circumstances. They would endorse temporary accommodation if it met the city's health and safety requirements.