Warning to fans attending Soweto derby

Football fans heading to Saturday’s Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium have been urged to plan their journeys carefully, with road closures and traffic restrictions set to affect access to the venue.

The highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash kicks off at 15:30, with stadium gates opening at 10:00.

Tickets have sold out, and a full house is expected.

READ | Football legend Thierry Henry to attend Soweto derby

To manage the anticipated crowds, the stadium precinct will operate as a vehicle exclusion zone, with private motorists required to have valid parking tickets or authorised access permits to enter designated areas.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive before 12:00 and consider public transport to avoid delays.

Soweto Derby road closures

Road closures and traffic restrictions will come into effect from 10:00 on Saturday.

Key traffic control points will include:

• N1 South off-ramp and N17
• Nasrec Road
• Rand Show Road
• Crownwood Road
• Booysens Reserve Road

Soweto Highway, between Mentz Street and the N1 North on-ramp, will be reserved for Rea Vaya and Gautrain buses.

Motorists who are not attending the match are advised to avoid the stadium precinct and use alternative routes where possible, including the N1, M1 and N12 highways and Main Reef Road.

Traffic arrangements will also be adjusted after the final whistle to help vehicles leave the area.

Where to park for the Soweto Derby

Spectators planning to drive to the match have several designated parking options.

Parking facility	Cost per vehicle
Johannesburg Expo Centre, Expo 1–8	R80
Premium parking, Expo Centre Gate 1	R250
IPROP parking at Booysens Reserve Road and Crownwood Road checkpoint	R80

Expo Centre parking can be booked in advance through the MyTicket app or at www.myticket.co.za, subject to availability.

Limited parking tickets may also be available at designated checkpoints, with payment by credit or debit card.

IPROP parking is available only at the specified Booysens Reserve Road and Crownwood Road checkpoint and is subject to capacity. Spectators using this facility will have access to a free return shuttle to the stadium.

Importantly, a match ticket alone does not grant permission to drive through the road closures. Motorists must have the appropriate parking ticket or access permit.

Public transport options and prices

Fans who want to avoid driving into the stadium precinct can use several public transport services.

Johannesburg Stadium Park & Ride

The Johannesburg Stadium Park & Ride facility offers free secured parking and return Rea Vaya transport to FNB Stadium.

Spectators whose match tickets do not include transport can purchase return transport for R60 per person.

Gautrain match-day shuttle

A dedicated Gautrain match-day shuttle will operate between Park Station and FNB Stadium from 09:00 to 19:30.

Return bus transport costs R25 per person when purchased on match day. This excludes Gautrain train fares and station parking.

Rea Vaya services

Rea Vaya will provide return transport from designated stations, including:

• Ellis Park
• Library Gardens
• Thokoza Park
• Dobsonville

Return match-day transport costs R60 per person.

Fans who have already purchased match tickets that include transport will not need to pay again for the transport covered by their packages.

Transport-only tickets do not include admission to the match, and no additional match tickets will be sold at FNB Stadium.

E-hailing, residents and match-day safety

E-hailing vehicles must use the designated Transportation Hub for passenger drop-offs and collections.

Residents who need to travel through the vehicle exclusion zone must present their event-specific access passes.

Soweto derby spectators are also urged to follow instructions from traffic officers and event marshals, keep emergency routes clear and avoid stopping in moving traffic lanes to collect passengers.

Traffic officers’ instructions will take precedence over GPS and navigation applications.

Standings

Heading into the Soweto derby clash, Orlando Pirates are in second place in the standings with 22 points after eight matches, thanks to seven wins and a draw.

They trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a single point and have a game in hand.

The Buccaneers have conceded just one goal this campaign to date.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are in fifth place with 14 points after eight fixtures. Amakhosi are also unbeaten, but have only won three and drawn five matches to date.