Nedbank Cup final sells out in chaos, with just 41 000 tickets available for the public

News24

07-05-2025

Ticketing chaos surrounds the Nedbank Cup final as the PSL confirms a sold-out match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but fans faced issues with system glitches and overselling.
Over 10 000 tickets were mistakenly sold beyond the stadium's capacity, causing frustration, with refunds being processed for affected customers.
PSL officials will investigate the situation, with an independent auditor, SMSA CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, analysing the ticket distribution process after the mishap.
For more, visit News24 Sport's local soccer page.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed that Saturday's Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is officially sold out, but the build-up has been overshadowed by widespread frustration over ticketing issues.
Fans rushed to secure their seats for what promises to be a fiery Soweto Derby showdown at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, but many were left disappointed – not by availability, but by technical failures and miscommunication.
Supporters took to social media in droves to voice their anger after purchasing tickets online through Computicket and Open Tickets, only to be left empty-handed with no confirmation, no tickets, and in some cases, refund notices citing system errors or overselling.
One last dance for Riveiro. Will he make #NedbankCup history and complete the 3-peat? ☠ 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/NHJEJ1stg4
— Nedbank Sport (@nedbanksport) May 6, 2025
Chaos also erupted at physical outlets. Some fans were turned away and told to go online, only to find digital platforms overwhelmed and unresponsive. The high demand appeared to crash the system, while others who believed their purchases were successful were later informed via email or WhatsApp that they were not.
Acting PSL CEO Mato Madlala confirmed that all tickets have been sold and assured affected supporters that refunds would be processed for failed purchases.
Stadium Management SA (SMSA) CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, although not responsible for Moses Mabhida Stadium operations, was brought in to assist with managing the fallout.
'The demand for Soweto derby tickets is always more than what we can supply,' Madlala said.
'What we did after the ticket sales and problems we experienced because of volumes was we roped in Bertie. He has hosted matches at FNB Stadium using the same companies (Open Tickets and Computicket).
'We asked him to come as an independent auditor to advise us in terms of what happened because we want the truth. I don't want to listen to a service provider telling me what they think they should be telling me or telling me things that will please me – I want the raw truth.
'Bertie is not representing SMSA, but he's representing me. I said he must analyse this report (on ticket sales) and tell me what is wrong or right and what we can fix.'
Grobbelaar revealed that the 56 000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium had a clearly defined ticket distribution plan in place.
According to his findings, all tickets made available to the public were snapped up in just 90 minutes.
'The major concern was the over-issuing of tickets – that was the main concern of the CEO, PSL and the chairman (Irvin Khoza),' he said.
'From the data I have obtained, the approved capacity of the stadium is 49 307 seats. It's a reduced capacity by the stadium's management and that is the number of tickets that were issued.
'Hospitality [tickets] are 5 307, complimentary tickets 3 000, which leaves 41 000 that went on sale. According to the preliminary report provided to the PSL, tickets were sold out within 90 minutes.'
The veteran SMSA CEO went on to explain that the moment ticket sales surpassed the 41 000 mark, it triggered a system glitch – leading to the overselling issue that has now cast a shadow over the event's ticketing process.
'That caused a delay, a glitch or call it whatever you want, but the fact is the tickets went on sale and the system allowed more people to make payments than there is capacity for.'
Computicket stopped the platform from issuing physical tickets, but the transactions still went through. At retail outlets, 4 966 tickets were sold and issued across the country.
'Digital tickets on the Open Tickets website, 2 435 [were sold]; and on the Computicket website, 44 121 tickets were sold. That immediately tells you there's over-issuing of tickets.
'Of the outlet sales, 33% went to KwaZulu-Natal, 35% went to Gauteng and 8% Mpumalanga. The Open Ticket and Computicket online sales combined in KZN were 39%, Gauteng 32% and Mpumalanga 12%.'
Grobbelaar revealed that over 10 000 tickets were mistakenly sold after the official allocation had already sold out – and all affected individuals will be refunded in full.
'All people who paid for the tickets to the capacity of the stadium have received their tickets – hard copy or digital – via different platforms.
'Of the people who paid but cannot be allocated tickets, 80%, as we speak here, of those bought online, we have refunded.
'The other 20% are people who paid via EFT or other form of payment platform. They all received messages that upon receipt of their banking details they will be refunded.'
Saturday's final kicks off at 15:30, and the PSL has urged fans to arrive early, following last week's 30-minute delay at FNB Stadium during the league Soweto derby between these two iconic rivals.