Durban

Moses Mabhida Stadium

The Moses Mabhida stadium has been built specifically as a result of South Africa winning the right to host the 2010 World Cup.  It will host 7 World Cup games including one of the semi finals.  (The stadium hosted its first ever game on November 29, 2009 when AmaZulu FC met Maritzburg United - capacity limited to 22,000). The ground which was expected to be completed in December 2009 and now seems set to open ahead of schedule will have a capacity of 70,000 for the World Cup.  Following the tournament the ground will operate a reduced capacity of 54,000 for local matches and events but with the ability to flex to 80,000 spectators for events such as the Olympic games - in fact following its completion the Moses Mabhida stadium will arguably be the best equipped stadium in South Africa to support the Olympic games which was very much a consideration during the specification.  As this is a new stadium it has been built as an all seated stadium with no provision for standing areas, each seat boasts an unrestricted via and is described as spacious.

The 70,000 seater stadium is designed to be a multi-purpose venue - it will be able to host Football, Rugby and Athletics, the jewel in Kings Park Sporting complex.  Naturally the stadium offers all the hospitality you would expect in a new stadium - a total of 8,500 will be entertained in 161 suites and business club hospitality

A roof cover will provide shelter to 80% of the stadium - so it should be noted that means 20% of the seats are uncovered!!!

NOTEABLE FEATURES

The stadium is built to operate around the clock 365 days a year not just as a Stadium but as a commercial venue.  There is over 7000SQ metres of retail space and hospitality suites which will be used as function rooms.

The arch over Wembley is impressive - the arch over the Moses Mabhiba stadium goes further however and for those who like statistics

• The grand arch is 106m high (Wembley is 133m high)
• The 350m long free-span steel arch weighs 2600 tons - that's the equivalent of 2,600 average cars. (Wembley is 1750 tons)
• The roof is made of 46,000m2 of Teflon®-coated glass fibre membranes, which will produce a translucent glow when the stadium is lit.
• The roof is attached to the arch by 95mm-diameter steel cables.

But in comparison to Wembley the Moses Mabhiba stadium has a different use for the arch - a cable car (well more accurately a funicular) is fixed to the arch allowing people to take a ride to the top of the 350m arch offering great views of the city, ocean and beaches.

For those who favour more adventure than a funicular ride to the top of the arch there is the opportunity to take on an adventure walk from the southern side of the arch under full supervision up and down approximately 550 steps.