Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Stadium Major South African stadium in Gqeberha, hosting sports

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and now hosts football, concerts and civic events; visitors attend matches and occasional tours.

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Western side of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium February 2025.jpg
Worldcup 2010 Soccer Stadium at night - panoramio.jpg

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is a principal venue for large sporting fixtures and concerts in the region.

The bowl-type stadium seats around 46,000 spectators and was one of the South African stadia selected to host World Cup matches in 2010; it is used for domestic football and rugby matches and for national team fixtures. Support facilities, corporate suites and fan concourses are arranged around the main pitch.

The venue opened in 2010 and has since been used by local clubs and provincial teams, as well as for occasional international fixtures and entertainment events. It sits within the urban area of Gqeberha and is accessible from the city and surrounding suburbs.

  • Capacity and use: Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the stadium has a seating capacity of about 46,000 and hosts football, rugby and large-scale concerts.
  • Location note: Located in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), it serves as a major sport and events venue for the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape, South Africa
-33.9377, 25.5995

How to Get to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium #

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). It is within the urban area and typically reached by car or taxi from the city centre in about 10-20 minutes depending on traffic (a few kilometres). On event days there are usually shuttle services and designated parking; municipal taxis and rideshare options are common ways to reach the stadium from elsewhere in the metro area.

Tips for Visiting Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium #

  • On event days arrive at least an hour early and use official parking or public-transport options to avoid the heavy traffic that builds on approach; check the stadium website for road-closure notices on match or concert days.
  • If you won't be attending an event, contact the stadium in advance about guided tours - the museum and behind-the-scenes areas are sometimes open by arrangement and reveal more than a quick exterior visit.
  • Combine a stadium visit with the nearby beachfront and Boardwalk precinct in Gqeberha to avoid the immediate post-event crush; many visitors miss the nearby leisure options if they arrive only for a match.

Best Time to Visit Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium #

For atmosphere, attend a match or event; for quieter visits and tours choose non-match weekdays or shoulder seasons.

Match/event season (busiest)
Sep-Mar (varies by sport/event) · 15-30°C (varies by month)
Match days and major events draw large crowds and lively atmosphere - expect busy transport and surrounding areas.
Shoulder seasons (quieter)
Apr-May, Aug · 15-25°C
Fewer events and lower visitor numbers; good times for stadium tours and less crowded visits.
Off-season / winter
Jun-Jul · 10-20°C
Fewer fixtures and smaller crowds; easier access for tours though local schedules dictate availability.

Weather & Climate near Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium #

Climate

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (565 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JanuaryMarchMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 22°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 60 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.7h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
14.2h daylight

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