Moses Mabhida Stadium stands on Durban's beachfront, a short distance from the Suncoast Casino along the Golden Mile. It was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and its steel arch runs over the field. The main draw is height: a SkyCar carries visitors up the arch to a viewing point about 106 metres above the ground, with the city on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. Guided tours, Segway rides and the Big Swing add more to a visit, and the stadium still hosts concerts, rugby, cricket and football.
From World Cup venue to working stadium
The stadium was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hosted matches during that tournament. It also staged matches at the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Today it is the home ground of AmaZulu, a Premier Soccer League club.
The venue is busy year-round. Its events include concerts, cricket, football, golf practice, motorsports and rugby. Check the event schedule before you go if you hope to see a match or a concert.
Who the stadium is named after
The stadium takes its name from Moses Mabhida, a freedom fighter from the apartheid era and a former general secretary of the South African Communist Party. The name links the site to the country's struggle for freedom, and it is the reason many visitors learn his story when they visit.
The arch and the SkyCar
The arch is the stadium's defining feature. Its shape is said to echo the letter Y in the national flag, and the design came from a German firm.
The SkyCar is a single cabin mounted on an undercarriage. It runs up steel tracks on the northern arch to a platform about 106 metres up. The cabin is built to roll back down under its own gravity, so it can return to the lower station even if the power fails. The ride up takes about two minutes.
Walking, swinging and touring
The Adventure Walk takes you up the arch on foot, a climb of several hundred steps, with the view opening out at the top. For a sharper thrill, the Big Swing drops about 80 metres in free fall before swinging out across a 220 metre arc above the stadium bowl. Guinness World Records named it the world's tallest swing in 2011.
Guided stadium tours go behind the scenes. Segway rides run along the beachfront, which suits visitors who want to see the seafront at a relaxed pace.
Around the stadium
The seafront promenade links the stadium to uShaka Marine World, and the Suncoast Casino is a short walk away. The stadium's people's park has a play area for children under 12, expansive lawns and a track about a kilometre long. Parking sits beside the playground, which is fenced for small children.
The park is free to enter, and some activities there are paid. The café beside the play area serves breakfast and lunch and has a children's menu. Children can bring their bikes.
Perguntas frequentes
How do you get to the top of the arch?
You can ride the SkyCar, a single cabin that runs up steel tracks on the northern arch to a viewing point about 106 metres up. You can also climb the Adventure Walk, a set of several hundred steps on foot.
How do you get to Moses Mabhida Stadium?
The stadium is near the beachfront in Durban and can be reached by car, by taxi or on Durban's People's Mover buses.
Is the stadium wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, restrooms, seating and parking are listed as wheelchair accessible.
What is the Big Swing?
The Big Swing is a free fall of about 80 metres followed by a swing across a 220 metre arc above the stadium bowl. Guinness World Records named it the world's tallest swing in 2011.
Is parking difficult?
Parking can be hard to find on event days, so arrive early if you are attending a match or concert.
