The New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane is preparing to return to action in the 2026/27 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, with Sekhukhune United scheduled to face Marumo Gallants at the venue on Saturday, 17 October.
The Betway Premiership encounter, which kicks off at 18:00, will mark the stadium’s first PSL match of the campaign following a period of inactivity caused by pitch rehabilitation work.
The venue, which hosted matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has been unavailable since the start of the season while the playing surface underwent improvements.
Its absence also meant Polokwane missed the opportunity to host the 2026 MTN8 final, despite the municipality’s reported interest in staging the prestigious cup competition.
PSL Approves Stadium Following Pitch Improvements
The completion of the rehabilitation work has cleared the way for the stadium to resume hosting top-flight football, with the venue receiving approval from the PSL ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Thipa Selala, the Polokwane Municipality’s manager of communications, confirmed to FARPost that the facility had been given the green light to host league matches.
The development represents an important step towards restoring the stadium’s place on the domestic football calendar after the pitch work disrupted its availability during the opening stages of the season.
FARPost visited the facility on Wednesday and reported that the playing surface appeared to be in good condition ahead of the clash between Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants.
Municipality Calls on Supporters to Fill the Stands
Polokwane Municipality has welcomed the prospect of football returning to the stadium, highlighting the enthusiasm of local supporters and the importance of the sport to the city.
Selala said the municipality was encouraged by the continued backing that residents showed for their teams and urged fans to attend the upcoming match in large numbers.
He described the public’s passion for football as a source of pride for Polokwane, calling on supporters to fill the stands and enjoy the game on the rehabilitated pitch.
The municipality will be hoping that the return of league football attracts strong attendance and reinforces Polokwane’s reputation as a destination for major sporting events.
Polokwane Targets Growth as a Major Sporting Destination
Beyond the immediate return of PSL action, the municipality says its broader ambition is to establish Polokwane as one of Southern Africa’s leading sporting centres.
Selala explained that investment in sports infrastructure and community initiatives formed part of a wider strategy to expand access to sporting opportunities.
The municipality is also working to bring elite football closer to township communities while improving facilities in rural areas, with the stated aim of supporting grassroots participation and developing local talent.
According to Selala, the vision is to create an environment where sporting excellence, community involvement and economic opportunities can develop together.
The municipality also wants to attract major sporting events, teams, supporters and investors, while ensuring that local communities benefit from the economic activity generated by sport.
Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs Set for Stadium Action
Sekhukhune United’s meeting with Marumo Gallants will be among the first major tests of the stadium’s readiness following the rehabilitation project.
The venue is also expected to accommodate some of Kaizer Chiefs’ home fixtures during the 2026/27 season.
Chiefs and the Polokwane Municipality have an existing partnership that runs until the end of the campaign, keeping the stadium in the picture as an alternative venue for the Soweto giants’ matches.
With the pitch now approved and top-flight football scheduled to return, Polokwane will look to make the most of the facility’s availability as the season progresses.
The stadium’s reopening for PSL action could also strengthen the municipality’s efforts to attract more high-profile football matches and expand the city’s sporting profile.
