Cape Town International Convention Centre

Location

The centre takes up approximately 6.1 ha in the city's Foreshore region, which forms part of Cape Town CBD. The center is within easy reach of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and numerous major hotels. The CTICC is served by the Westin Cape Town Hotel, located on the same premises, in the north-western corner.

Venues

The convention centre has exhibition and trade show space of approximately 11200 m2 that can be divided into multiple conference or banquet venues; a Grand Ballroom, which can be divided by soundproof partitioning. Catering is offered at the premises. The centre has two auditoriums, one seating up to 1500 and the other up to 620.

History

It hosted the Final Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa on 4 December 2009. Guests in attendance included Nobel peace prize winners, former State President FW De Klerk and Desmond Tutu. The event was opened by President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma and President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.

In 2013, the centre hosted 537 events, an increase from 514 in 2012. In 2021, it was estimated that the CTICC has contributed R53.2 billion to the country's GDP and R45.2 billion to the Western Cape's economy in the past twenty years.

The centre hosted the 2023 Netball World Cup.

CTICC hosted the first sitting of seventh parliament that elected the Speaker of the National Assembly as well as the President.

Cape Town, and by extension the CTICC, has become a global conference hub, and a highly desirable place to host delegates for meetings. In recent years, Cape Town has been increasing in popularity as a destination for conferences and meetings. In June 2025, it was reported that Cape Town had reached 35th place globally in the International Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) rankings of popular destinations for international association meetings.

The report highlighted that Cape Town hosted 58 such meetings in 2024, comprising 60% of the total hosted across South Africa that year. Cape Town also placed among the top 10 cities worldwide for average attendance per event, with an average of 717 delegates per meeting.

In 2025, the City of Cape Town announced that it was investigating selling its shareholding in the CTICC. The 72.7% stake, valued at an estimated R885 million, would be sold to private investors to continue operating the center. The City would retain ownership of the land upon which the center is built, and would use the cash injection to fund public infrastructure projects.

In December 2025, it was reported that the City of Cape Town passed a resolution that granted the City in-principle approval to proceed with exploring the option of selling its stake in the CTICC. The resolution followed the end of a public consultation period that began in September of the same year. The City said that during the consultation process, most of the comments received were in support of the sale.

Expansion process

Due to the success of the CTICC it was expanded in 2010. A second round of expansion work is due to begin in February 2015 and is expected to be completed during 2017. The expansion is planned to add 10 000m² of floor space to the centre.

Controversies

In August 2014, it was reported that the African National Congress had amassed a R1.3 million account with the CTICC since 2011. Executive director of auxiliary affairs, Gerard Ras, said that the ANC should not be allowed to use the facilities until the account is settled.

References

References

1. Mbeki, Thabo. "Address at The Official Opening of The Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, 28 June 2003".
2. (23 July 2014). "CTICC expansion construction underway".
3. "Venues".
4. "Final Draw FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup".
5. "CTICC 2020/21 Integrated Annual Report".
6. (13 March 2019). "CTICC announced as venue host of the 2023 Netball World Cup". Cape Business News.
7. "Times and dates of traffic delays during Parliament's first sitting announced".
8. ZamaNdosi Cele. (5 June 2025). "Cape Town climbs global rankings, establishing itself as a premier destination for international meetings". IOL.
9. (15 December 2025). "Cape Town takes next step in R885m sale of convention centre". news24.
10. Lewis, Anél. (18 August 2014). "Bar ANC from CTICC".