Moses Mabhida Stadium


The Moses Mabhida Stadium is a football 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. It is a multi-use stadium. The stadium became a venue for several events, like bungee jumping, concerts, cricket, football, golf practice, motorsports and rugby union.
It was one of the host stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 56,000. 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.

History

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 spectators during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Its design allows the stadium seating to be adjusted; 54,000 for local matches or up to 80,000 for events such as the Commonwealth Games. It has two permanent tiers of seating, a temporary third one was added for the World Cup.
There are 120 corporate hospitality suites with 7,500 seats.

Dimensions

Stadium: 320m×280m×45m

Arch

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.

Roof

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.

Bowl

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.

Façade

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.

Construction progress

DatePhaseDescriptionStatus
2006-07-081Demolition of existing stadium, southern pavilion.Completed
2006-07-122Demolition of existing stadium, northern pavilion.Completed
2006-07-233Demolition of existing stadium, main pavilion.Completed
2007-04-014Construction begins.Completed
2008-03-205Arch construction begins.Completed
2009-01-135Arch construction complete.Completed
2009-01-016Aluminum façade construction begins.Completed
2009-08-017Roof cable and membrane works begins.Completed
2009-11-24Official completion.Completed

Completion

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.

Major events

In December 2015, the award-winning gospel ensamble Joyous Celebration recorded their first outdoor recording for Joyous Celebration 20 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The show included the alumni of the choir as well.
2019 #Gcwalisaimabhida Maksandi music festival
30 March 2019 Khuzani Indlamlenze Mpungose hosted #Gcwalisaimabhida Maskandi music festival, he is the first Maskandi artist to host a successful event in a sports venue like Moses Mabhida stadium, the venue was sold out. The music festival was sponsored by Isolezwe, Ukhozi FM, Ethekwini municipality.. To name a few.

2022 Commonwealth Games

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.

Tournament results

The stadium was one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hosted five group games, one second-round game and a semi-final match. During the World Cup, the stadium was referred to as "Durban Stadium".
DateTime Team No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance
13 June 201020:30 Germany4–0 AustraliaGroup D62,660
16 June 201016:00 Spain0–1 SwitzerlandGroup H62,453
19 June 201013:30 Netherlands1–0 JapanGroup E62,010
22 June 201020:30 Nigeria2–2Group B61,874
25 June 201016:00 Portugal0–0 BrazilGroup G62,712
28 June 201016:002–1 SlovakiaRound of 1661,962
7 July 201020:30 Germany0–1 SpainSemi-final60,960

2013 African Cup of Nations

Moses Mabhida Stadium served as one of the venues for the tournament. It hosted 4 group games, 1 quarter final and a semi final. The games were:
DateTeam No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance
2013-01-232–0Group A50,000
2013-01-231–1Group A25,000
2013-01-272–2Group A45,000
2013-01-281–1Group B8,000
2013-02-021–1 Quarter Final45,000
2013-02-061–4Semi Final54,000

Football

The stadium is the current home ground of Premier Soccer League team, AmaZulu. It has 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.

Cricket

Cricket

Single T20I match has been hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Team Team WinnerMarginYearAttendance
By 21 runs201169,000

The stadium hosted a Twenty20 cricket match between South Africa and India on 9 January 2011. The match was played for the Krish Mackerdhuj Trophy, which India won by 21 runs. The stadium witnessed the biggest ever crowd for a cricket match on the African continent which was followed by a concert to celebrate South Africa-India ties.

Concerts and events

Event/ArtistTourDate
Top Gear FestivalTop Gear Festival Durban16–17 June 2012
Top Gear FestivalTop Gear Festival Durban15–16 June 2013
Nitro CircusNitro Circus Live19 February 2014
Top Gear FestivalTop Gear Festival Durban21–22 June 2014
Lionel RichieAll The Hits All Night Long South African Tour13 March 2016
Nicki MinajThe Pinkprint Tour20 March 2016
Nitro CircusNitro Circus Live25 October 2017
John LegendDarkness and Light Tour7 November 2017
Cassper NyovestFill Up1 December 2018