Port Elizabeth Sports Travel Guide

Known as PE, Port Elizabeth offers some of South Africa’s cleanest beaches, an array of watersports and a historic hub.


Sport in Port Elizabeth

Rugby Union, Cricket and Football are among the most popular sports to watch in Port Elizabeth:

  • The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was opened in 2009 ahead of the country hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with seven matches there including the  the 3rd/4th Place Play-off in which Germany narrowly defeated Uruguay 3-2.
  • The main football club in the city is Chippa United who play the majority of their matches at the stadium.
  • Rugby Union is also popular in Port Elizabeth, with the Southern Kings playing the Pro14 (before ceasing operations in 2020) and Eastern Province Elephants in the domestic Currie Cup also playing at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
  • The St George’s Park cricket ground is also in Port Elizabeth, being the home of the Warriors cricket team who compete in the domestic cricket competitions. The ground is also regularly used for international cricket and hosted South Africa’s first ever test match when they played England in March 1889.

Travelling to Port Elizabeth

Airport – The Port Elizabeth Airport is the fourth busiest airport in South Africa but only dealing with domestic flights from Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg. If flying internationally, you will have to transfer at Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg.

Thinking of flying? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus – Intercity bus travel through City to City, Greyhound and Translux depart from the Greenacres Shopping Centre, with Intercape departing from the corner of Fleming and North Union Streets.

Train – The Port Elizabeth railway station has daily intercity trains to Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, along with the Metrorail Eastern Cape commuter service.


Where to stay in Port Elizabeth

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Port Elizabeth by clicking here.

TripAdvisor

Food & Drink in Port Elizabeth

Use TripAdvisor to read other travellers reviews of bars and restaurants and find some great places to eat and drink in Port Elizabeth.


What to do in Port Elizabeth

  • Port Elizabeth is a popular domestic and international holiday destination thanks to 40 kilometres of beach along Algoa Bay. Kings Beach, Hobie Beach and Humewood Beach all hold blue flag beach status, with Sardinia Bay perhaps the nicest of the lot approximately 20 kilometre south of downtown PE.
  • The Donkin Heritage Trail is a 5 kilometre trail to commemorate the 1820 trek made by the settlers, passing through the Donkin Reserve with the memorial pyramid to Elizabeth Donkin who the city is named after. The reserve is also the start of Route 67, the city’s art and heritage trail.
  • The Boardwalk entertainment complex is a leisure resort on an artificial lake, offering plenty of activities for the whole family along with shops, restaurants and cafes.
  • The Kragga Kamma Game Park is less than 30 minutes away from PE, offering the chance to see African wildlife such as white rhinos, buffalo, zebras, cheetahs and giraffes.
  • The Addo Elephant National Park is 70 kilometres north of PE and was opened in 1931 to protect the last 11 elephants that roamed the Eastern Cape. Today there are over 600 in South Africa’s third biggest national park.

Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Sports Tourist

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