By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
The countdown to the Betway SA20 Season 4 has officially begun, with Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town unveiled as the venue for the tournament’s grand final on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Kingsmead, Centurion and the Wanderers will stage the Playoff encounters, adding to what promises to be a thrilling summer of cricket.
Defending champions MI Cape Town will open proceedings on Boxing Day when they meet Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands, setting the tone for a festival of cricket running through the festive season and into the new year.
For the first time in the competition’s history, Durban will host a Playoff, with Kingsmead staging Qualifier 1 on Wednesday, 21 January. Centurion will follow with the Eliminator on Thursday, 22 January, before the Wanderers decides the second finalist with Qualifier 2 on Friday, 23 January.
League Commissioner Graeme Smith believes the venues will generate electric atmospheres. “Season 4 is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting summer of cricket, kicking off on Boxing Day and running through the holiday period,” Smith said. “Durban’s first Playoff is particularly special, and Newlands hosting the final on a Sunday gives fans the perfect occasion to enjoy world-class cricket in one of the most iconic stadiums.”
The fixture list offers something for every supporter. Saturday, 27 December brings the first double-header with Pretoria Capitals facing Joburg Super Kings at Centurion and Paarl Royals meeting Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park.
Kingsmead will be busy in the week leading to New Year’s Eve, hosting MI Cape Town on 28 December and Joburg Super Kings two days later.
The final day of 2025 will see Sunrisers Eastern Cape take on Paarl Royals at St George’s Park before MI Cape Town welcome Pretoria Capitals to Newlands for a late-afternoon clash.
The holiday festivities continue on New Year’s Day at the Wanderers where Joburg Super Kings and Durban’s Super Giants will be looking to start 2026 on the front foot. Fans in Paarl are in for a treat on 2 January with the Cape derby between Royals and MI Cape Town on “Tweede Nuwe Jaar”, a fixture guaranteed to deliver fireworks.
Tickets for the Playoffs and the Final go on sale to the public from 10 October, while fans can register for the exclusive pre-sale window to secure the best seats before then. Pre-sale registrations close at midnight on 15 September.
The next landmark date in the build-up is the Season 4 Player Auction on 9 September. With R131 million available across the six franchises, bidding is expected to be fierce as Proteas stars and international names go under the hammer.
“The fans have been at the heart of our success over the past three seasons,” Smith added. “With fixtures built around the holiday season and some iconic venues in play, Season 4 promises to be our biggest and best yet.”