Events brought in over R5 billion for the City in the 2025/26 financial year. According to a media statement, the City of Cape Town’s Events Permit Office processed 1 540 event permit applications.

Alderman JP Smith said, “‘Cape Town continues to prove that it is one of the world’s premier events destinations.”

Events brought in over R5 billion for the City

The approved events led to strong spectator attendance, job opportunities and economic activity. At the same time, it reinforced the Mother City’s position as Africa’s leading events destination.

He added, “Every event hosted in our city creates opportunities for local businesses, supports jobs, attracts visitors and showcases everything that makes Cape Town a world-class destination.”

Events attracted around 4,1 million spectators and participants

The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says from the 1,540 event applications received, the Events Permit Office approved 983 event permits. This included several major international events featuring the Springboks, Bafana Bafana, the Proteas Women and the Springbok Women. These events attracted around 4,1 million spectators and participants, demonstrating the scale and impact of Cape Town’s events industry. Some permit applications were declined due to non-compliance, while others were deemed not to require a permit.

Showcasing Cape Town to a global audience

The approved events, which ranged from major international sporting fixtures and large-scale festivals to community, cultural and lifestyle gatherings, generated significant economic activity. At the same time, it created jobs, attracted visitors and showcased Cape Town to a global audience. A review of 30 top events found that they contributed more than R5 billion to the local economy. Six flagship events alone accounted for approximately R4,5 billion in economic impact.

Events also continued to create employment opportunities

City of Cape Town-supported events also continued to create employment opportunities. An assessment of 20 events found that they generated over 31,000 temporary and permanent jobs, highlighting the important role the events sector plays in supporting livelihoods and driving economic growth.

“These figures show that our investment in creating an enabling environment for events continues to deliver meaningful economic and social returns for Cape Town and its residents,” said Smith.

Cape Town events deliver over R5 billion for the local economy

The 2025/26 financial year featured several standouts across the sporting, entertainment and cultural sectors, including:

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon secures Abbott World Marathon Major status
A capacity crowd for the Springboks versus Australia Test at DHL Stadium
A sold-out International Friendly between Bafana Bafana and Panama
The sold-out Betway SA20 Final at Newlands Cricket Ground
Back-to-back HSBC SVNS Cape Town titles for the Blitzboks
The return of Red Bull Flugtag to Cape Town
DHL Stadium welcomed a combined 235 880 spectators for DHL Stormers home matches, recording the second-highest attendance in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship
More than 100 000 people attending the City’s annual Festive Lights Switch-On
International fixtures including the Proteas Women versus Ireland and Springbok Women versus Black Ferns XV
The FIM World Supercross Championship season finale
The inaugural Speed Classic Cape Town
The Heineken F1 World Tour
A sold-out Comic Con Cape Town
The inaugural EFC’s Knox Legacy Series
FIH Hockey Nations Cup at Hartleyvale Stadium

The momentum continues into the 2026/27 financial year, with Cape Town set to host the highly anticipated Springboks vs All Blacks match in the Greatest Rugby Rivalry at DHL Stadium, the Proteas Women taking on India in T20 action, the traditional New Year’s Test between the Proteas and England at Newlands Cricket Ground, and the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon in October.

Festive Lights Switch On event 2025