Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, host of the 2026 MTN8 final

Durban, Get Ready: The MTN8 Final Is Coming Home to Moses Mabhida

September 30, 2026

By Sbusiso Mhlongo

Clear your diary for Saturday, 10 October 2026. The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kick-off at 18:00.

It is a record 10th MTN8 final for the Durban venue, and the city is ready. More than 50,000 supporters and visitors are expected, and eThekwini is inviting every one of them to make a weekend of it.

A final with history on the line

Orlando Pirates, the defending champions and current league champions, are chasing a fifth consecutive MTN8 title. They reached the final with a commanding 4-0 aggregate win over Sekhukhune United.

Mamelodi Sundowns arrive as African champions, playing in their first MTN8 final since they lifted the trophy in 2021. They edged Golden Arrows 4-3 on aggregate in a thrilling semi-final.

This rivalry has lit up Durban before. Pirates beat Sundowns on penalties in the 2023 MTN8 final at this very stadium, and won their 2024 Nedbank Cup final meeting 2-1. Sundowns will be determined to rewrite that story.

The stadium itself returns refreshed. Moses Mabhida has undergone a R284 million upgrade, including pitch rehabilitation, and the PSL has given the playing surface the green light.

The numbers behind the celebration

Big finals mean big business for Durban. eThekwini Municipality’s own estimates from recent showpieces at Moses Mabhida tell the story:

Final	Visiting fans	Direct spending	Wider economic contribution
2023 MTN8 final (Pirates vs Sundowns)	About 60,000	R43 million	R108 million to local GDP
2025 Nedbank Cup final (Chiefs vs Pirates)	Stadium sold out	More than R93 million	More than R230 million, including indirect and induced effects
2026 MTN8 final (expected)	More than 50,000	To be confirmed	To be confirmed

That money flows well beyond the turnstiles. Mayor Cyril Xaba has named local traders, SMMEs, hospitality establishments, transport operators and creative practitioners among those set to benefit. He has also urged visitors to extend their stay and explore the city’s beaches, restaurants and attractions.

Why does Durban keep winning these finals? The Mayor puts it simply: “People just love Durban because of the electric atmosphere they find here.”

What business owners say

Durban’s hospitality sector has felt the difference first-hand. Ahead of the 2025 Nedbank Cup final, the story from the city’s hotels was the same: no rooms left.

Mohamed Saib, who manages reservations at the Coastlands Hotel in Musgrave, confirmed the property was sold out for the Friday and Saturday. “Our 100-room hotel is fully booked,” he said.

At the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani on the beachfront, with more than 700 rooms, the reservations team reported a full house for match day, adding that guests were thrilled about the football.

Brett Tungay of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) described accommodation sales around the beachfront and stadium as strong, and said finals like these underline how important sport and events tourism is to Durban.

Make it a family day out

With an 18:00 kick-off, the whole day is yours. Spend the morning on the Golden Mile, let the children loose at uShaka Marine World, enjoy lunch along the promenade, then stroll to the stadium in your team colours as the sun sets over the bay.

At R150 a ticket, a family of four can watch two of Africa’s biggest clubs for R600. Here is what you need to know:

Date and kick-off	Saturday, 10 October 2026, 18:00
Venue	Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Ticket price	R150 (general access)
Tickets on sale	Friday, 2 October 2026, from 10:00
Where to buy	Online only, at opentickets.co.za
Limit	Four tickets per person

A few tips for a smooth day:

Buy early. Recent Durban finals have sold out fast.
Buy only through Open Tickets. Avoid third-party sellers.
Arrive early, agree on a family meeting point, and keep little ones close in the crowds.
Stay the night. Book accommodation now, as beachfront hotels fill quickly on final weekends.

Be part of it

Five in a row for the Buccaneers, or a long-awaited return to glory for the Brazilians? Either way, history will be made in Durban on 10 October, and the best seat is in the stands.

Gather the family, pull on your jersey, and come feel that famous Moses Mabhida atmosphere. Every ticket you buy, every meal you share and every night you stay helps keep Durban the home of big-match football.

See you at the stadium.

News