By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates celebrate winning the Betway Premiership. Photo Credit: Gallo Images.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) confirmed it will not broadcast the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, scheduled for Saturday, 1 August 2026.
The season kicks off with defending champions Orlando Pirates starting the defence of their league title on Saturday, when they host newly promoted Milford FC at Orlando Amstel Arena at 15:00.
In a brief statement, SABC said, “It regrets to inform its audiences that it will not broadcast the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, scheduled for 1 August 2026.”
Pirates enter the new season brimming with confidence after an extraordinary 2025/26 campaign in which they completed a remarkable domestic treble, lifting the Betway Premiership, MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup trophies.
The Buccaneers will now look to defend their crown against a fiercely competitive field determined to end their reign at the summit of South African football.
Standing in their way this season will once again be familiar challengers including Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC, Sekhukhune United, AmaZulu FC and several ambitious clubs, all eager to write their own chapter in PSL history.
The only fixture not taking place during opening weekend is Sundowns’ clash against Marumo Gallants, which has been postponed, meaning the Brazilians will have to wait a little longer before launching their campaign to reclaim their title.
PSL chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, expressed his delight that the league and its partners, SuperSport, the official broadcaster and its parent companies, the MultiChoice Group and CANAL+, are starting off 30 years of PSL celebrations with DStv Access customers having full access to all Betway Premiership matches happening this week.
“To celebrate 30 years of the PSL, we are giving DStv Access subscribers all the weekend’s action, with fans able to watch all their favourite teams in action, “said Dr Khoza.
“This is a gift to all Access subscribers. We know the passion that football fans have for the PSL and hence we want to ensure that all lovers of football are part of our 30 years of celebrations.”
Dr Khoza added on the significance of the PSL turning 30 and what it meant for the league, clubs, sponsors, and its stakeholders.
“It means the PSL can be trusted,” the PSL chairman said. “There’s an old adage that says, if you’ve not endured 30 years, then you’re not an institution. Seeing where South African football is, the PSL can be proud of our achievements. But this would not have happened without the football supporters in the country, all the club chairpersons who’ve invested without public recognition, and the players who have availed themselves to be coaches on this platform of the PSL. But also the broadcasters that came on board to make sure we get the necessary lifeblood and the rights fees for broadcast rights, which is a reality.”
MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd CEO, Willington Ngwepe, also spoke of the meaning of more DStv customers enjoying the start of the Betway Premiership as part of the celebration of PSL turning 30.
“We are thrilled to be offering more sports content to more subscribers and viewers, especially the much-anticipated start of another much-anticipated Betway Premiership season,” said Ngwepe.
“The PSL has been part of the fabric of the MultiChoice business and a key partner for over 20 years, and to be able to partner once more for the benefit of our viewers, subscribers and the South African football fans, is something we are proud of.”
Beyond the league campaign itself, the domestic football calendar once again promises plenty of drama.
The MTN8 gets underway next week as the country’s top eight clubs battle for the first silverware of the season, before attention turns to the Carling Knockout Cup and the iconic Nedbank Cup, competitions renowned for producing unforgettable upsets, magical cup runs and memorable moments.
Whether it’s the race for the championship, qualification for CAF competitions, survival at the foot of the table or the country’s biggest derby matches, SuperSport will once again bring supporters closer to every goal, every celebration and every defining moment through unrivalled live coverage, expert analysis, exclusive content and world-class production.
Rendani Ramovha, Director for Sports Content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa at CANAL+, shared in the excitement ahead of the return of the new PSL season.
“The start of every Betway Premiership season brings renewed excitement, fresh storylines and enormous anticipation from football fans across South Africa,” said Ramovha.
“We are delighted that DStv Access customers will be able to enjoy this weekend’s opening round of fixtures on SuperSport, giving even more supporters the opportunity to experience the passion, excitement and quality that make South African football so special.”
DStv subscribers and fans will experience the excitement for the first weekend’s matches of the new Betway Premiership season on SuperSport, Your World of Champions.