“We Are Not Desperate”: Durban Officials Slam Claims MTN8 Final Tickets Sold Outside KZN
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and City Manager Musa Mbele have firmly dismissed allegations that MTN8 final tickets are intentionally sold to fans outside KwaZulu-Natal to boost Durban’s tourism economy.
Both officials emphasized that online ticket sales are managed entirely by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and match sponsors on a first-come, first-served basis.
The claims re-emerged as Moses Mabhida Stadium prepares to host its 11th MTN8 final next Saturday, featuring a high-stakes clash between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Local supporters previously raised concerns during the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup final between Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, alleging out-of-province buyers received preference to drive hotel bookings.
“These are just allegations,” said Xaba.
Mbele echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying the claims were unfounded because tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
“It is an allegation because these tickets are sold online,” said Mbele.
“How do you see if this person is from KZN or not from KZN when they buy tickets online?
“This point is important to also highlight: we are not – I may sound arrogant, but it is the only way I can express it – we are not desperate to boost tourism to such an extent that we can do unethical things like that.
“We are big, if not one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. People are coming easily because they love Durban.
“I think one of the things that people enjoy about coming to Durban, as you will recall, is that Durban has always been South Africa’s best.
“People just love Durban. If you want to enjoy, come to Durban, as there was that song [by Tizozo and Professor] in the past.
“That thing has always been there. What we have done under the leadership of the mayor is ensure that we improve that brand, and when people think about coming to Durban on their own, when you have a big event like this one, it just adds impetus; they just want to come here.
“I’m latching onto the question: what is it that we do to attract? We don’t do anything like paying for matches [cup finals]; people just love Durban because of the electric atmosphere that they find here.
“We are a tourist destination by choice. The MTN representatives know that they are likely to do well in marketing their brand because we are one of the three biggest metros when it comes to accommodation establishments, which are always there.
“We have lots of tourist attractions, such as beaches and other things, and the carrying nature of Ubuntu is amongst the things that we have – the Zulu mainstay.
“So, there is no need for us to pay, except to produce what we have. We are spending more on getting our beaches clean; we are spending money to ensure that we support our tourist establishments and all other players in the value chain. As a result, we are very attractive without paying a cent. It is nice to be in Durban.”
Durban ICC Nominated for Global Sustainability Honor
The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) has been nominated for the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards 2026 under the World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation category.
The international recognition follows the venue securing Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre title for the 21st time at the World Travel Awards.
The nomination comes as the Durban ICC prepares to welcome major events, having been last venue to have hosted the PSL Awards live during the 2018/19 season.
