With a prime coastal location and noteworthy design, Durban Stadium will provide World Cup attendees with a superb visual experience while serving as a prominent addition to the surrounding South African countryside.

The 70,000-seat facility’s visually intriguing design will include a towering 1,100-foot, 30-story arch. Visually, the arch was designed to stand out against the South African skyline. Functionally, the arch will provide support for the 700 metric tons of cable that comprise the tensile roofing system’s support system. As an added feature, patrons will be able to ascend the arch by cable car for a bird’s-eye view from above center field.

The 500,000 square-foot roof, designed to shade and protect spectators, will consist of 208 separate folded-plate PTFE panels.

Upon completion, Durban Stadium will welcome six first-round World Cup matches, one second-round match, and one semi-final match. Post-event, the athletic facility will function as the hub of King’s Park Sporting Precinct, a large retail and cultural complex complete with restaurants, an amphitheatre, a sports history museum and a public park with beach access. The facility will additionally play host to various sporting and cultural events including rugby matches and concerts.

Architect: GMP Architects, Cape Town, South Africa
Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann und Partner, Stuttgart, Germany