Moses Mabhida Stadium has firmly established itself as the home of the MTN8 final, and the Durban landmark is preparing to stage the competition’s showpiece once again.
The iconic stadium will host the 2026 MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, 10 October, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00.
The latest appointment means Moses Mabhida will have hosted or been selected to host 11 of the 19 MTN8 finals since the competition adopted its current name in 2008.
Durban dominates the MTN8 final landscape
Moses Mabhida’s record makes it the most frequently used venue for the MTN8 final.
Its first final came in 2010, when Orlando Pirates defeated Moroka Swallows. Since then, the stadium has repeatedly been selected for some of the competition’s biggest occasions.
The finals held at Moses Mabhida came in:
- 2010
- 2013
- 2014
- 2017
- 2018
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2026
That means the Durban stadium has been responsible for more than half of the MTN8 finals staged during the competition’s modern era.
Pirates have strong memories of the venue
Moses Mabhida has also played a significant role in Orlando Pirates’ recent MTN8 success.
The Buccaneers featured in several finals at the stadium during a period in which they established an extraordinary run in the competition.
Pirates won the MTN8 in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, with Moses Mabhida hosting several of those memorable matches.
The 2023 final was particularly dramatic as Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns played out a goalless draw after extra time before the Buccaneers won the penalty shootout.
Pirates subsequently added another title in 2025, beating Stellenbosch FC 3-0 after extra time at Mbombela Stadium.
How other venues compare
While Moses Mabhida has dominated the list, several other stadiums have also hosted the MTN8 final.
| Venue | MTN8 finals |
|---|---|
| Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban | 11 |
| Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg | 3 |
| Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit | 2 |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban | 1 |
| FNB Stadium, Johannesburg | 1 |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha | 1 |
The figures underline just how strongly associated Moses Mabhida has become with the MTN8 final.
Pirates vs Sundowns adds another chapter
The 2026 final brings another heavyweight contest to the Durban stadium.
Orlando Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns with the MTN8 trophy on the line, continuing a rivalry that has produced several memorable encounters in the competition.
Pirates will be attempting to extend their remarkable sequence of MTN8 success, while Sundowns will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2021.
The venue itself adds another layer to the occasion, with Moses Mabhida preparing to host its 11th MTN8 final.
2026 MTN8 Final
Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Saturday, 10 October 2026
18:00
With the stadium’s extraordinary history and two of South Africa’s biggest clubs competing for the trophy, another major MTN8 occasion awaits in Durban.
Is Moses Mabhida Stadium the true home of the MTN8 final?
