Football supporters hoping to secure tickets for the highly anticipated 2026 MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have faced frustration after technical problems hit the Open Tickets platform on Friday.
The final is scheduled to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 10 October 2026, with kick-off set for 18:00.
Tickets officially went on sale online at 10:00 on Friday, with the Premier Soccer League confirming that general access tickets cost R150.
However, the opening of sales was followed by significant difficulties for supporters attempting to access the online ticketing platform.
Open Tickets experiences heavy traffic
According to reports on Friday, Open Tickets experienced widespread technical difficulties as thousands of supporters attempted to purchase tickets for the highly anticipated clash.
The situation resulted in supporters reporting difficulties accessing the ticketing website, long online queues and problems progressing through the purchasing process.
The ticketing platform had already warned supporters that an online queue would be implemented because of the expected demand for the match.
Open Tickets advised supporters to be patient while waiting in the queue, with the system designed to manage the large number of people attempting to access the ticket shop at the same time.
The PSL’s official ticketing announcement had also warned fans that they could be required to wait in an online queue before reaching the ticket purchasing page.
Pirates and Sundowns supporters eager to attend
The enormous interest comes as no surprise given the two clubs involved.
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet in the MTN8 final after progressing through the competition, setting up one of the most anticipated fixtures of the opening part of the 2026/27 domestic season.
The match will also return to Moses Mabhida Stadium, a venue with significant history in South African football.
Pirates were designated as the home team for the final, while Sundowns will be the away side. The fixture is scheduled to begin at 18:00.
What supporters need to know about the tickets
The PSL confirmed that MTN8 final tickets are being sold exclusively online through Open Tickets.
General access tickets cost R150, while each customer is limited to a maximum of four tickets per transaction.
The tickets are digital, meaning supporters will not be able to purchase physical tickets at stadium outlets or other physical points of sale.
Every person attending the match, including children, must have a valid ticket.
Once tickets have been added to a customer’s basket, Open Tickets allows 10 minutes for the payment process to be completed. Supporters are therefore encouraged to have their payment details ready before beginning the transaction.
Fans urged to avoid unofficial ticket sellers
With demand for the final expected to remain high, supporters should be particularly careful when purchasing tickets.
The PSL has urged members of the public to use only the official Open Tickets platform and avoid unauthorised third-party sellers.
This is important because the combination of high demand and online purchasing difficulties can create opportunities for fraudulent ticket offers.
The official Open Tickets listing confirms the match, venue, kick-off time and R150 general-access ticket price.
Ticket problems add to excitement ahead of the final
The difficulties experienced on Friday have added another talking point around what is expected to be a major occasion for South African football.
Moses Mabhida Stadium is set to host the MTN8 final on 10 October, with Pirates and Sundowns meeting in Durban for the prestigious knockout trophy.
For supporters who experienced difficulties accessing the ticketing platform, the immediate priority will be securing legitimate tickets through the authorised sales channel as availability changes.
The ticketing situation remains closely watched as fans prepare for a final that has already generated substantial interest across the country.
For now, supporters are advised to remain patient, use the official ticketing platform and ensure that their payment information is ready before entering the purchasing process.
