Moses Mabhida Stadium

Football stadium in Durban, South Africa

The Moses Mabhida Stadium is a soccer stadium in Durban in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa, named after Moses Mabhida, a former general secretary of the South African Communist Party. A multi use stadium, it became a venue for several events, like bungee jumping, concerts, cricket, soccer, golf practise, motorsports and rugby union. It was one of the host stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 55,500 (expandable up to 75,000). The stadium is adjacent to the Kings Park Stadium, in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct, and the Durban street circuit used for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. It includes a sports institute, and a transmodal transport station.

This newly built stadium is located on the grounds of the Kings Park Soccer Stadium, in the Durban sports precinct in the suburb of Stamford Hill. The stadium had the capacity to hold 62,760

Somewhat reminiscent of the famous Wembley Stadium arch, a long free and high span arch holds up the roof of the stadium, the top of the arch rises to above the pitch. The arch also represents the once divided nation coming together, inspired by the South African Flag. The arch consists of a 5×5m steel hollow box and weighs 2,600 tonnes. A funicular carries visitors from the north side of the stadium to a viewing platform at the top of the arch, offering a view over city and ocean. The south side features a 550 step adventure walk. On 24 February 2010 the world's largest swing opened at the stadium. The swing allows clients to jump off the 4th ladder rung and fall toward the pitch before being swung out in a arc over the pitch.

Moses Mabhida Stadium roof consists of a , Teflon coated, glass fibre membrane which produce a translucent glow when the stadium is lit. These are attached to the arch by 95mm diameter steel cables. The roof covers 88% of the seats.

Around the perimeter, 1,750 columns and 216 raking beams provides the main support. Around the field, 900m of retaining walls stretches 8m high. A total of 1,780 pre cast concrete seating panels creates the bowl form. There are over of floor space within the stadium structure.

Over 100 columns surround the stadium. The height of the columns varies around the stadium, but the highest is 46m. In total of façade surround the stadium. A total of 550 aluminium fins fit between the main columns. Perforated metal sheeting was placed between the aluminium fins, where required.

DatePhaseDescriptionStatus2006 07 081Demolition of existing stadium, southern pavilion. Completed2006 07 122Demolition of existing stadium, northern pavilion. Completed2006 07 233Demolition of existing stadium, main pavilion. Completed2007 04 014Construction begins. Completed2008 03 205Arch construction begins. Completed2009 01 135Arch construction complete. Completed2009 01 016Aluminum façade construction begins. Completed2009 08 017Roof cable and membrane works begins. Completed2009 11 24 Official completion. Completed

Construction of the stadium was officially completed on 24 November 2009 and the first official match played there was between Amazulu and Maritzburg United on 29 November, with Maritzburg United winning 1–0.

In December 2015, the award winning gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration recorded their first outdoor recording for Joyous Celebration 20 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The stadium had been scheduled to host the opening ceremony and athletics events of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which was awarded to Durban in 2015, however the Commonwealth Games Federation withdrew hosting rights in 2017 due to funding concerns.

The stadium was one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hosted five group games, one round game and a semi final match. During the World Cup, the stadium was referred to "Durban Stadium". DateTime (UTC+2)Team No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance13 June 201020:304–0Group D 62,66016 June 201016:000–1 Group H 62,45319 June 201013:301–0 Group E 62,01022 June 201020:302–2Group B 61,87425 June 201016:000–0Group G 62,71228 June 201016:002–1 Round of 16 61,9627 July 201020:300–1 Semi finals 60,960

Moses Mabhida Stadium served as one of the venues for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. It hosted 4 group games, 1 quarter final and a semi final. The games were:

DateTeam No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance23 January 2013 2–0 Group A50,000 1–1 25,00027 January 2013 2–2 45,00028 January 2013 1–1 Group B8,0002 February 2013 1–1 (a. e. t) (1–3 pen. )Quarter final45,0006 February 2013 1–4 Semi final 54,000

The stadium is the current home ground of Premier Soccer League team, AmaZulu. It had seven matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and hosted various finals such as the 2010 MTN 8, the 2012 Telkom Knockout, the 2013 MTN 8, the 2013 Nedbank Cup and the 2014 Nedbank Cup.