September 30, 06:50IOL

MTN8 Final Between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns to be Held in Durban, Economic Growth Expected

Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the MTN8 2026 tournament final on October 10th. The match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns is expected to attract over 50,000 fans and visitors to the city of Durban.

The Professional Soccer League (PSL) has officially confirmed Moses Mabhida Stadium as the venue for the final match, scheduled to begin at 18:00. This game will mark the tenth MTN8 final to be held at the stadium in Durban.

Opportunities for Local Business

Mayor Ethekwini, Cyril Shaba, stated that hosting the final will create favorable conditions for the growth of local businesses. This includes traders, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), hotels, transport operators, and creative workers.

Shaba noted that visitors coming to the city for the match will have the opportunity to explore the beaches, tourist attractions, hospitality offerings, restaurants, and other local commercial establishments. He added that he expects more than 50,000 fans and guests in Ethekwini and urges them not only to attend the game but also to extend their stay to explore all the tourism products and attractions that Ethekwini offers.

Municipal Expenses

Despite the city highlighting the expected economic benefits from hosting the final, it did not provide a total figure for the expenses the Ethekwini municipality will incur to organize the event. The municipality reported that it is preparing for an increased demand for services in security, traffic management and transport, emergency and medical assistance, waste management, cleanliness, and crowd control.

Previous Finals in Durban

Previous MTN8 finals demonstrate why the city views this match as an opportunity for the local economy. When Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns met in the MTN8 2023 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Ethekwini estimated that about 60,000 football fans arrived in Durban. The municipality calculated that this event generated 43 million rand in direct spending, as well as an additional contribution of 108 million rand to the local GDP.

More recently, Ethekwini projected that the Nedbank Cup 2025 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium would generate over 93 million rand in direct economic impact and over 230 million rand including indirect and induced effects.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 29, 14:44

MTN8 2026 Final to Draw Attention to Durban, Municipality Reports

The city of Durban is preparing to host fans from across South Africa in connection with the final match of MTN8 2026 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The mayor of the municipality, Ethekwini, Councillor Kirill Shaba, welcomed the Premier Soccer League's (PSL) decision to hold the final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Durban's iconic stadium.

Speaking at a press briefing at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Shaba noted that the successful experience of hosting major football competitions has helped position Ethekwini as a venue for significant sporting events.

The municipality stated its readiness to host the final and announced that it is working with the PSL, stadium management, law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and other stakeholders to ensure all necessary conditions are met for match day.

The influx of visitors and fans is expected to create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, traders, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), hospitality businesses, transport operators, and creative workers.

For guests arriving in Ethekwini for the match, the final will also be an opportunity to explore the city beyond the stadium, including its tourist attractions, beaches, restaurants, and hospitality offerings.

Shaba emphasized that Moses Mabhida Stadium is not just a sports facility but an iconic place that has become part of the City's identity and continues to attract major sporting events to Ethekwini.

The mayor urged fans traveling to Ethekwini to plan their trips in advance, use public transport where possible, and follow the instructions of officials to ensure a safe and enjoyable match day. The municipality continued coordination efforts with the PSL, stadium management, and other partners in preparation for the expected surge in visitors.

iol.co.zaSeptember 28, 12:55

Moses Mabhida Stadium to Host MTN8 Semi-Final Between Sundowns and Pirates

According to information from IOL, the final of the MTN8 tournament in 2026 is expected to return to Durban, with Moses Mabhida Stadium being considered as the venue for the main match between the teams 'Mamelodi Sundowns' and 'Orlando Pirates'.

The Professional Soccer League (PSL) will conduct the MTN8 final draw on Monday evening, which will determine which team plays at home and which plays away in the final scheduled for October 10. Nevertheless, IOL reports that Moses Mabhida Stadium is likely to become the arena for this final, although the PSL has not yet made an official confirmation.

If the PSL officially approves this location, it will mark the tenth MTN8 final held at this stadium, thereby increasing its record as the most frequently used field in the competition's history. The return of the MTN8 final to Durban occurs at an interesting time for the iconic stadium, which recently underwent a period of renovation and restoration.

Work on the stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, began in 2024, with the eThekwini municipality estimating the total project cost at approximately 284 million rand. The stadium pitch was also renovated as part of efforts to restore the facility to international standards.

In the 2026/27 season, the stadium had a relatively quiet start and did not participate in the regular PSL schedule. According to available match records, its only competitive appearance this season was hosting Durban City against Rwandan club Rukinzwe in the CAF Confederation Cup on September 6. This continental match was significant as Moses Mabhida was at the time the only venue in KwaZulu-Natal approved for a CAF international fixture.

Now this stadium may host one of the most significant domestic matches of the season. The 'Pirates' team qualified for the MTN8 final after eliminating 'Sekhukhune United' over two legs, while 'Sundowns' advanced after a dramatic semi-final against 'Golden Arrows'. For 'Pirates', this final represents another opportunity to continue their outstanding dominance in the tournament, aiming to win their fifth consecutive MTN8 title. 'Sundowns', for its part, will aim to stop this streak and add another domestic trophy to its growing collection. Although the final draw will take place on Monday night, it is believed that Moses Mabhida is preparing to be the venue for the clash set for October 10.