Mbombela Stadium is sold out for the 2025 MTN8 final and with more than 40 000 people trying to reach the stadium on matchday, traffic will be heavy throughout the Mpumalanga capital.

Mbombela Stadium management, the City of Mbombela law enforcement and the SAPS have been hard at work to adequately prepare and put together a traffic plan to deal with the high traffic influx.

They will be making use of the park-and-ride system utilised for the recent Springboks vs Georgia test match which was played in Mbombela, adapting it to serve the attendees of this year’s MTN8 final.

Set to be a blockbuster occasion between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, the final will kick off at 18:00 on Saturday, September 13.

But, if you are one of the lucky few to have snapped up a ticket to the match, here is everything you need to know about reaching Mbombela Stadium prior to kick off:

What is the best way to reach the stadium in comfort and on time?
• Make use of the free park-and-ride service to access the stadium hassle-free.
• If buses or taxis fill up quickly they will depart once full, otherwise every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Park-and-ride operates from 13:00 to 22:00. The last buses leave the stadium between 21:00 and 21:30.

What does the park-and-ride service cost?
• It’s a free service for all match ticket holders.
• Free and safe parking is provided for your vehicle at all park-and-ride points.

How do I know which bus or taxi to take before and after the game?
• Before the game the buses or taxis go straight from the pick-up point to the stadium.
• After the game the park-and-ride services follow a circular route to drop-off at all venues.
• After the match, make sure to get onto the bus or taxi at the same place you were dropped off before the game.
• Buses operate from Hoërskool Bergvlam, Lowveld High and the old showgrounds (R40), and offload east of the stadium at gates A and B.
• Taxis operate from the Government Complex opposite Riverside Mall and the Fresh Produce Market (R37) and offload south of the stadium at gate E.

What do I do if I boarded the wrong bus or taxi?
• When boarding ask the driver where he is heading.
• Buses intend to serve all stops in their sector on the return trips to make sure you get home.
• To reduce confusion the sectors are limited to Mbombela (buses) or Riverside (taxis).

Where do I go if I am a permit holder (hospitality, VIP, disabled, media)?
• Clearly display your permit and you will be ushered to Matsafeni Drive.
• Make use of the P166 (stadium link road between Riverside and Mataffin) to reach the stadium where you’ll be ushered to your parking area.

Can I park at the stadium if I am not a permit holder?
• Yes, if you are early and you get there timeously.
• Early-bird parking is available from 11:00 until 15:00 on a first-come first-served basis.
• Parking is free, but you are encouraged to tip the car guard.
• From 15:00, Samora Machel Drive will be closed and you will have to divert to park-and-rides.

Where can I park at the stadium as a non-permit holder?
• The outlying old sports fields and the pecan orchard on the perimeter of the stadium precinct.
• Overflow parking is available north of Samora Machel Drive (opposite Halls Gateway).
• Please park where you are marshalled to and do not reserve parking spaces.

Will there be road closures?
• Yes, when early-bird parking is full (or after 15:00) Samora Machel Drive will be closed between Graniet St and the N4-Mataffin split.
• Permit holders (vehicle access pass holders) will still be allowed in after closure.