Source: @Moses Mabhida Stadium/Facebook
The Premier Soccer League has confirmed Moses Mabhida Stadium as the venue for the 2026 MTN8 final, giving Durban another major football occasion on 10 October. Orlando Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns at 18:00 in a final that brings together the competition’s dominant force of recent seasons and one of South Africa’s most decorated clubs.
This will be the 11th MTN8 final staged at Moses Mabhida Stadium since the competition adopted its current name in 2008. The Durban venue has hosted the showpiece more often than any other stadium, with its previous finals including three consecutive editions from 2022 to 2024.
The latest final also gives the stadium a major football occasion after a period of reduced match activity.
A major final for a stadium under rehabilitation
Moses Mabhida Stadium has been undergoing extensive rehabilitation since work began in March 2024. The wider project was initially estimated at R236 million, before the projected cost rose to about R284 million as the scope and duration of the work expanded. Municipal records indicate that some rehabilitation work will continue into the 2027/28 financial year.
The pitch has also received dedicated maintenance. The City scheduled turf rehabilitation during the 2026 winter period, with the stadium pitch closed from 31 May to 24 July for work that included deep scarification and turf recovery.
The stadium has had limited competitive football during the early part of the 2026/27 campaign. Durban City used the venue for their CAF Confederation Cup first-leg meeting with Burundi’s Rukinzo on 6 September.
On the field, the final brings together the two teams that have dominated the MTN8 in recent seasons. Pirates reached the decider after defeating Sekhukhune United 4-0 on aggregate, while Sundowns overturned a first-leg deficit against Golden Arrows to win their semi-final 3-2 on aggregate.
Pirates have won the last four editions of the competition. Another victory would take their sequence to five consecutive MTN8 titles, while Sundowns return to the final for the first time since their 2023 defeat to the Buccaneers at this same stadium.
Tickets will cost R150 for general access and go on sale through Open Tickets at 10:00 on Friday, 2 October. Each buyer can purchase a maximum of four tickets, with an online queue in operation.
