Inside Moses Mabhida Stadium: Durban’s Arch, Its Adrenaline Swing and World Cup Legacy

Few structures define Durban’s skyline quite like the arch of Moses Mabhida Stadium. Rising out of Stamford Hill in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct, the stadium has become as much a tourist attraction as a sporting venue since it opened ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, drawing visitors for everything from international football to the world’s biggest swing.

A Stadium Built for a New Nation

Named after Moses Mabhida, former general secretary of the South African Communist Party, the stadium was constructed between 2007 and 2009 at a cost of roughly R3.4 billion. It opened its doors on 28 November 2009, replacing the old Kings Park Soccer Stadium on the same site, and hosted its first official match days later when Maritzburg United beat AmaZulu 1–0.

The venue can seat 55,500 spectators for everyday matches, but its design allows that number to expand to 75,000 for larger occasions. During the 2010 World Cup, a temporary third tier pushed capacity up to around 62,760. Beyond the main bowl, the stadium offers 120 corporate hospitality suites accounting for 7,500 seats, along with more than 80,000 square metres of internal floor space.

The Arch That Became a Symbol

The stadium’s signature feature, often likened to London’s Wembley arch, stretches 350 metres across the roof and climbs 106 metres above the pitch. Built from a 5×5 metre steel hollow box section and weighing roughly 2,600 tonnes, the arch is more than an engineering feat. Its design was inspired by the South African flag, intended to represent a once-divided country uniting under a single structure.

A 46,000 square metre Teflon-coated glass-fibre roof membrane, suspended from the arch by thick steel cables, covers 88% of the seating bowl and gives the stadium its distinctive glow when lit at night. Around the outside, more than 1,750 columns, 216 raking beams, and 550 aluminium facade fins complete the structure.

Not Just a Football Ground

For visitors who want to experience the arch rather than just admire it from below, a funicular car runs from the stadium’s north side up to a viewing platform at the top, offering panoramic views across Durban and the Indian Ocean. Those wanting a workout can tackle the 550-step adventure walk up the south side instead.

Thrill-seekers have another option. Since February 2010, the stadium has been home to what was billed as the world’s largest swing, letting participants leap from the fourth rung of the arch before swooping out over the pitch in a 220-metre arc. Beyond bungee jumping and swinging, the stadium grounds have also been used for cricket, golf practice, motorsport, concerts and large-scale gospel recordings, including Joyous Celebration’s 2015 outdoor recording session.

A History of Major Tournaments

Moses Mabhida Stadium’s biggest moment on the world stage came during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when it was officially referred to as “Durban Stadium” and hosted seven matches, including five group games, a round of 16 clash and a semi-final between Germany and Spain.

• 13 June 2010: Germany 4–0 Australia (Group D)
• 16 June 2010: Spain 0–1 Switzerland (Group H)
• 19 June 2010: Netherlands 1–0 Japan (Group E)
• 22 June 2010: Nigeria 2–2 South Korea (Group B)
• 25 June 2010: Portugal 0–0 Brazil (Group G)
• 28 June 2010: Netherlands 2–1 Slovakia (Round of 16)
• 7 July 2010: Germany 0–1 Spain (Semi-final)

The stadium returned to continental prominence in 2013, hosting matches for the Africa Cup of Nations, including South Africa’s group games against Angola and Morocco, a tense quarter-final that saw South Africa exit on penalties, and a semi-final between Mali and Nigeria.

Durban’s Commonwealth Games Setback

Durban was awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games in 2015, with Moses Mabhida Stadium lined up to host the opening ceremony and athletics events. However, the Commonwealth Games Federation withdrew hosting rights from the city in 2017 over funding concerns, a decision that remains a point of disappointment for many in Durban’s sporting community.

Still at the Heart of Durban Sport

Today the stadium remains the home ground of Premiership side AmaZulu FC and occasionally hosts Sharks rugby fixtures. It has also become the go-to venue for South African cup finals, having staged 19 of them since 2010. Alongside the neighbouring Kings Park Stadium and the Durban street circuit once used for A1GP motorsport, it anchors one of the busiest sporting precincts in the country.

Source: Moses Mabhida Stadium — Wikipedia