DESPITE fears that Soccer World Cup facilities would become white elephants, Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium is raking in millions.

The state-of-theart R3.4-billion facility has generated more than R60million for the city since it opened in late 2009.

The stadium’s “Big Three” — the magnificent arch, sky car and adventure walk — have attracted more than 230000 visitors and generated R10.5-million in revenue.

The city is also in negotiations with a number of sports teams, including Amazulu football club, to become anchor tenants.

And last week more than 50000 cricket fans packed the stadium for the international Pro20 friendly followed by a Bollywood extravaganza.

Other World Cup stadiums are following in Durban’s footsteps in a bid to generate sustainable incomes through events and rental.

This includes the ANC’s 99th anniversary celebrations at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, and Friday’s double-header soccer games at Cape Town Stadium.

Moses Mabhida Stadium’s marketing and communications head, Lara McLeod, said more than 35000 people had visited the stadium over the past six weeks.

About 300 private functions, product launches and conferences had been held in venues around the stadium since completion of construction.

The stadium is also provisionally booked to host at least 15 PSL matches, the Neil Diamond concert, and church and community gatherings, said McLeod.

She said three weddings — at a cost of R70000 each — had been held at the stadium, and more were on the cards.

Cape Town Stadium’s diary for this year is slowly filling up with soccer matches, conferencing, banqueting and corporate events. Cape Town’s mayor, Dan Plato, said he expected an exciting year, with @ many events already lined up for the stadium and negotiations under way for more. “Fears about the stadium not being able to attract events are unnecessary,” he said.