City’ sporting venues prepare to screen World Cup matches
With South Africa competing on football's biggest stage, several fan parks and public viewing areas are expected to be established across the city.
Football fever is sweeping across Pietermaritzburg as businesses, sporting venues and community organisations prepare to welcome supporters for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
With South Africa competing on football’s biggest stage, several fan parks and public viewing areas are expected to be established across the city, while sports bars, restaurants and entertainment venues gear up for what promises to be four weeks of football excitement.
Among the venues likely to attract football fans are Collegians Sports Pub, Eddels Sports and Social Club, Maritzburg East Sports and Recreation Club, Club Woodlander, Saki Sports Bar, The Kick and Whistle, Bulldog Sports Pub and Franki Bananaz Sports Bar.
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These venues are expected to go the extra mile to create a vibrant atmosphere for supporters throughout the tournament. The Msunduzi Municipality is also working on plans to revive the traditional World Cup fan park experience.
The popular Natal Carbineers Gardens, adjacent to Pietermaritzburg City Hall, is expected to once again become a gathering point for football enthusiasts.
Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla confirmed that discussions are under way with a potential partner to make the fan park a reality.
“We are currently speaking and making arrangements with one of the potential partners to put it together. The discussions are looking positive, and more details will be communicated in due course,” said Thebolla.
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Meanwhile, the Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens is also preparing activities aimed at recreating some of the excitement and atmosphere experienced during the 2010 Fifa World Cup hosted in South Africa.
As anticipation builds ahead of Bafana Bafana’s opening match, several former football stars have rallied behind the national team and called on South Africans to unite in support of the squad.
Former Durban Bush Bucks midfielder and ex-Maritzburg United coach Mlungisi “Professor” Ngubane believes Bafana Bafana’s opening fixture could be crucial to their campaign.
“The first match will be very important. We need to win it or at least secure a draw to settle the nerves and build confidence for the rest of the tournament,” said Ngubane.
Former Bafana striker Siyabonga “Bhele” Nomvethe urged South Africans to get behind the team.
We need to be united, support them and send them our best wishes. Remember, Bafana Bafana represents our country and all of us.
Ex-Bafana captain Steve Komphela said supporters should be realistic about the challenges of competing at a World Cup.
“The World Cup is a massive stage. There will be victories, there may be draws and there could be defeats, but it is also a tournament filled with valuable lessons and opportunities for growth,” he said.
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Adding to the growing list of viewing venues, the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Jabu Ndlovu Street will host a live public screening of South Africa’s opening match against Mexico.
The event will begin at 5pm, with snacks and refreshments available for purchase.
Entry will cost R100 per person.
