World class football in a world class stadium! The Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby showdown between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the newly-built Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday, 23 July (20h15 kickoff), is set to showcase the Eastern Cape’s passion for football to the world.

As the Vodacom Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the Eastern Cape plays host to the playoff between the Soweto giants for the third consecutive year, the 44000 capacity Nelson Mandela stadium is expected to come alive with colour and character in typically South African football style!

“Our province’s hosting of the annual Vodacom Challenge Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs is a highly anticipated date on the provincial calendar and with this year’s event to be held in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the first time I am sure that the soccer-loving people of the area will take full advantage of the opportunity to witness Vodacom Challenge football action at its best,” said the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture Mrs Xoliswa Tom.

“The event is of great importance to our province as it provides the opportunity for a major economic boost to the tourism, transport, accommodation and food and beverage industries in the area. Over 7 million people live in the Eastern Cape Province of which around 1,5 million live in Port Elizabeth. Already people are talking with passion and excitement about this year’s Vodacom Challenge fixture in the Friendly City. May the best team win and do our country proud when they take on Manchester City in the tournament final in Tshwane two days later.”

Tickets for the Port Elizabeth leg of the Vodacom Challenge are on sale at R45 each at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper outlets nationwide. To assist spectators in the Eastern Cape tickets are available at the following stores:

Aliwal North: Aliwal North Shoprite


Butterworth: Empumalanga Shoprite


Butterworth: Siyavuma Shoprite


Cradock: Cradock Shoprite


East London: Amalinda Shoprite


East London: Beacon Bay M T N


East London: Nahoon Shoprite


East London: Oxford Street Shoprite


Engcobo: Engcobo Shoprite


Graaff Reinet: Graaf-Reinet Shoprite


Grahamstown: Grahamstown Checkers


Grahamstown: Grahamstown Shoprite


Humansdorp: Humansdorp Shoprite


Jeffreys Bay: Jeffreys Bay Checkers


Jeffreys Bay: Jeffreys Bay Shoprite


Kentani: Kentani Shoprite


Lusikisiki: Lusikisiki Shoprite


Mdantsane: Mdantsane Shoprite


Mount Frere: Mount Frere Shoprite


Port Elizabeth: Boardwalk M T N


Port Elizabeth: Greenacres Checkers


Port Elizabeth: Greenacres M T N


Port Elizabeth: Greenacres Shoprite


Port Elizabeth: Metlife Plaza Checkers


Port Elizabeth: Metlife Plaza M T N


Port Elizabeth: Motherwell Shoprite


Port Elizabeth: P.E. Opera House


Port Elizabeth: Pier 14 Shoprite


Port Elizabeth: Sixth Avenue Checkers


Port Elizabeth: Summerstrand M T N


Port Elizabeth: Walker Drive M T N


Port Elizabeth: Walmer Park M T N


Port Elizabeth: Ziyabuya


Queenstown: Queenstown Shoprite


Queenstown: Checkers


Uitenhage: Despatch Shoprite


Uitenhage: Uitenhage Shoprite

New Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic, and Orlando Pirates’ coach Ruud Krol, are both expected to field several new signings who are sure to become household names on the South African football scene.

The Vodacom Challenge will kickoff in Polokwane on Saturday, 18 July (15h00), when Orlando Pirates take on Manchester City, before Kaizer Chiefs get the opportunity to lay the gauntlet down to the English club at the Absa stadium in Durban on Tuesday, 21 July (20h15).

The grand finale, involving Manchester City and winner of the Port Elizabeth fixture will take place at the Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane on Saturday,25 July (15h00).

With tickets for the Limpopo leg on sale at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets nationwide at R100 per ticket (main grandstand, unreserved seating) and R45 per ticket (open seating, unreserved), the tournament promoters have gone out of their way to keep ticket prices reasonable while still guaranteeing a world class, well organised sports entertainment package.

KwaZulu Natal soccer supporters will be able to select tickets priced from R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 each (north and south stands reserved), R75 each (east stand lower, reserved) and R45 each (east stand upper, unreserved).

Match tickets for the Vodacom Challenge final can be purchased at a cost of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 (north and south stands, reserved), R75 each (east lower stand, reserved) and R45 each (east upper stand unreserved).