With tickets for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Grand Final selling out within three hours of going on sale last week, and a record crowd of 55 000 expected to descend in and around the Green Point Precinct, it’s pretty natural to start shuddering at the thought of transport and parking.
Also read: Cape Town in for stormy weather for United Rugby Championship Final
Fret not, we have the solutions you need:
The early bird catches the worm
First things first, the key is to get there early.
Kick-off for the deciding game is at 6:30pm but gates to the DHL Stadium will open at 3:30pm. We suggest you arrive at the stadium when the gate opens (if not before that).
It may seem like a fairly long time to idle around waiting for the action to begin but anyone who’s ever been to a rugby game at Cape Town’s iconic stadium can tell you the electric atmosphere is intoxicating enough that once the gees takes over, the hours fly by all too quickly.
The following road closures will be in effect, so keep this in mind when planning out your early bird route:
- Closed on game day from early morning until late:
- Sonnenberg Road
- Vlei Road
- Stephan Way
- Fort Wynyard Street
- Restricted access
- Helen Suzman Boulevard
- Beach Road
- Buitengracht Street
- Granger Bay Boulevard
But how will we get to the worm?
Free MyCiTi Shuttle
URC Grand Final ticket holders will be able to board MyCiTi buses to the DHL Stadium from Century City, Civic Centre, Thibault Square and Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
The shuttle service will take you to the Stadium station, starting at 3pm. Thereafter, a bus will leave the stadium bus station every 15 minutes or when full, with the last return bus leaving at 10:45pm.
Parking
While there is heavy congestion expected in the stadium’s surrounding areas, there will be limited paid parking available at the P2 (pre-booked), P4 and P9 (R100 card payment on entry only) stadium parking areas.
Given the sheer volume of expected spectators, the demand for parking is highly limited in and around the Green Point Precinct.
So the City of Cape Town will make available its parking, with over 450 bays at the Civic Centre, free of charge. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 2.30pm.
There will be 355 bays available at the Woodstock parking area (enter from Civic Road) and 120 bays in the Hertzog parking area (enter from Hertzog Boulevard incoming).
There will also be dedicated parking available in the CTICC P1 parking area for R120 on entry, with a free MyCiTi shuttle to and from the stadium.
Additionally, free secure parking at Century City will be available on Century Boulevard adjacent to the Long Walk to Freedom installation from 2pm. From there, a MyCiTi shuttle will ferry ticket holders to the stadium every 20 minutes.
E-Hailing
If you’re opting to use e-hailing services on Saturday, it’s recommended that you get dropped off and collected in the CBD at DF Malan Drive opposite the Artscape Theatre, Hertzog Boulevard or Jan Smuts Street and then use the MyCiTi shuttle from the CTICC Civic Centre Station or Thibault Square Station.
Alternatively, you could join in on the gees by using the Fan Walk to get to the stadium.
There will be an e-hailing drop-off area on Helen Suzman Boulevard between Vlei Road and Beach Road on both sides, but be warned, the drop-and-go and pick-up around the stadium will have very long delays due to traffic congestion.
‘We have a Transport Management Plan which takes into consideration the logistics of getting over 50 000 people to the stadium, keeping them safe and ensuring they go home effortlessly,’ says Alderman JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security.
Those going to the stadium are encouraged to make use of the park and ride system in order to alleviate traffic congestion.
‘We ask those going to the game to please be respectful of the rights of residents and desist from parking illegally. Illegally parked vehicles will be fined and/or towed away,’ adds Smith.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Wait out the traffic by sinking your teeth into sweet, delicious waffles for two people at Venezia Waffle & Ice Cream Parlour in Sea Point for R105 (valued at R220). Get it here.
Also read:
The best professional sports team in Cape Town, voted by locals
Picture: Miguel Barrera / Pexels