Moses Mabhida Stadium, located in Durban, South Africa, is one of the world’s most recognizable stadiums. Famous for its iconic “arch of triumph” stretching over the entire arena, it can host 56,000 spectators, expandable to 85,000 for major events such as the Olympic Games. The stadium regularly hosts a wide range of sporting and cultural events, including several FIFA World Cup matches, making it a central hub for entertainment and sport in South Africa.

Last summer, the stadium upgraded its access control system with a total of 69 AX500 Smart Gate NG units equipped with the Axess SMART SCANNER 600 NFC, ensuring fast, reliable, and contactless validation of QR, NFC, and RFID tickets.

65 AX500 Smart Gate NG units feature the Axess TURNSTILE 600 Asymmetric for easier access for guests carrying bags or small trolleys. This barrier module not only enables efficient fan flow on matchdays but also meets the highest safety standards. Its integrated panic function allows all lanes to be opened immediately in emergencies or power failures, ensuring a quick and orderly evacuation.

Furthermore, 4 accessible AX500 Smart Gate NG with Axess TURNSTILE 600 ADA were installed for easy entry through a particularly wide access, especially useful for people with strollers or wheelchairs.

Image credit: Thikho Technologies

The system is complemented by 20 Axess HANDHELD devices, offering maximum flexibility for staff to perform on-the-spot ticket checks inside or outside the stadium, in VIP areas, temporary checkpoints, or during mobile re-inspections. These mobile terminals ensure seamless entry management, even in the case of last-minute organizational changes on match days or when hosting third-party events.

With all these state-of-the-art access solutions, Moses Mabhida Stadium not only has significantly improved the flow of fans into the stadium but also enhanced the overall fan experience, ensuring that every event is safe, smooth, and enjoyable.

Image credit: Thikho Technologies

Thikho Technologies, a stadium and event operations specialist with extensive experience across the South African events industry, was our trusted local partner on this project.