Stadium management launches new ticking App ahead of Soweto Derby

Stadium Management South Africa has introduced a new in-house ticketing system aimed at tightening stadium access control and reducing the risk of counterfeit tickets ahead of major fixtures, including the first Soweto Derby of 2026 on  February 28.

The new platform, called My Ticket, is expected to enhance match-day entry processes at the FNB Stadium, which has faced criticism in recent years due to ticket-related mishaps at high-profile football games.

Managing director Bertie Grobler said the new system was created to address long-standing challenges that have affected supporters during major matches.

“The app is safer, faster, enhances access control, and curbs ticket fraud,” Grobler said.

He said Stadium Management SA decided to move ticket operations in-house, arguing that the shift will strengthen accountability and improve the fan experience.

“By moving ticket operations in-house, it aims to put the power back in the hands of supporters,” Grobler said.

Grobler said that relying on external ticket operators had previously created challenges that Stadium Management SA still had to address when things went wrong.

“There were always issues, and if you are reliant on a third party, you need to answer on behalf of the third party. We have learned a lot of lessons,” he said.

The move follows concerns raised after what happened at the Soweto Derby played on February 1, when an estimated 110 000 fans squeezed their way into the stadium despite only 87 000 tickets being made available.

Last year’s changes came after this incident, where overcrowding and disorder were reported, and the issue of fraudulent tickets was identified as one of the factors behind the chaos, according to Grobler.

According to Stadium Management SA, the updated ticketing approach includes security and scanning upgrades aimed at preventing ticket cloning, including rotating QR codes and upgraded self-scanning turnstiles to improve entry flow and detect fake tickets.

The system also includes features that allow supporters to access tickets even during poor connectivity, while printed tickets will still be available through selected outlets for those who need hard copies.

Stadium officials say the changes form part of broader efforts to improve stadium management operations as crowd sizes increase at domestic football matches, where ticketing remains one of the most sensitive aspects of match-day planning.