Stadium attendance on upward trend
Last year annual reports indicated that attendance figures at Mbombela Stadium had increased by 51 per cent. According to stadium management, 20 944 entered the gates in 2013 which excluded the Springbok Test, and last year the figure rose to more than 28 000.
The Steval Pumas were promoted from the first division to the premier division of the Currie Cup at the end of 2013 and this made a huge difference in numbers between 2013/14.
If you include the Springbok Test against Wales that was played on Saturday June 21, 2014, the figures climbed well over 50 000. Although the Pumas only got to play in the premier division, the figures increased to 28 619. A total of 21 rugby matches were played during the 2013/14 period.
Soccer fans converged on the stadium to see the home-based team, Mpumalanga Black Aces in action. Two more soccer matches than rugby were played and Aces were also promoted to the premier division of the PSL League.
It was also their first season as a Mbombela-based team. A total of 125 942 spectators were recorded, which included Bafana Bafana’s match against Ivory Coast at the end of 2014.
“Mbombela Stadium is working in close cooperation with its two anchor teams to build the supporter base of the two squads in order to increase match attendance. The performance of the teams is obviously the most important factor determining attendance.
Both squads have performed exceptionally well taking into account that it was their first season competing at the highest level. Mbombela Local Municipality is also presently considering certain measures to support them.
“The stadium is confident that match attendance will further improve during the 2015 season,” said stadium manager, Roelf Kotze.
