By Kevin Rademeyer.
Reggae icons UB40 featuring Ali Campbell are set to return to South Africa in June 2026, with promoters confirming an additional Pretoria concert following overwhelming demand for tickets. The newly announced show will take place on Sunday, 7 June 2026 at the SunBet Arena, Time Square, after the original Pretoria date sold out rapidly.
The announcement reinforces the enduring popularity of UB40 in South Africa, where the band has long enjoyed a devoted following. The 2026 tour will now see the group perform two consecutive nights in Pretoria, alongside dates in Cape Town and Durban, marking one of their most extensive local runs in recent years.
“UB40 featuring Ali Campbell remains one of the most beloved live acts to tour South Africa,” said Big Concerts International chief executive Attie Van Wyk. “Pretoria showed up in a big way and the sell out reinforces their incredible legacy. We are proud to be opening a second show to meet the exceptional demand from fans.”
The tour will open at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on 2 June 2026, before moving to the Durban International Convention Centre on 4 June. Pretoria will then host back to back performances at SunBet Arena on 6 and 7 June, giving fans an extra opportunity to experience the group live.
UB40 emerged from Birmingham in 1978 and went on to become one of the most commercially successful reggae acts in history. Blending reggae rhythms with accessible pop melodies, the band helped introduce the genre to mainstream audiences across the world. Their catalogue includes era defining hits such as Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and I Cant Help Falling in Love with You, alongside influential albums like Signing Off and Labour of Love.
Frontman Ali Campbell, a co founder of UB40 and the unmistakable voice behind their biggest successes, continues to carry the band’s legacy forward. Under the UB40 featuring Ali Campbell banner, he performs material spanning the group’s early politically charged work through to the global chart toppers that cemented their status as reggae royalty. Across decades, UB40 have sold tens of millions of records worldwide and toured relentlessly, building a reputation for warm, uplifting live performances.
With Campbell’s distinctive vocals, signature horn arrangements and relaxed groove, the live show remains a powerful draw for audiences of all ages. Fans attending the 2026 tour can expect a celebration of the band’s history, delivered with the same energy and authenticity that has defined UB40 for more than four decades.
Tickets for all dates are available via BigConcerts and Ticketmaster. With an extra Pretoria show now added to the schedule, UB40’s 2026 return stands as both a testament to their lasting appeal and a reminder of reggae’s enduring connection with South African fans.