SA20 2025-26 playoffs and final venues officially announced

Cricket South Africa (CSK) on Friday, August 22, announced the venues for the upcoming SA20 2025-26 playoffs and final match. The Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town will host the summit clash, while Kingsmead, Centurion, and the Wanderers are set to host the playoff fixtures in January next year.

Teams are currently preparing for the player auction, which is set to take place on September 9. All six franchises will finalize their 19-player squads. Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who won the first two SA20 seasons, finished as runners-up in the last edition, while MI Cape Town claimed their maiden title.

Cricket South Africa Announces Venues for SA20 2025-26 Playoffs and Final

Durban will host an SA20 playoff for the first time, with the Kingsmead Cricket Ground set to host Qualifier 1 on January 21. The top two teams from the league phase will secure a spot in Qualifier 1, and they can reach the final with victory.

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Centurion will host the Eliminator on January 23, while the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg will host Qualifier 2 the next day, which will determine the second finalist for the tournament.

Notably, SA20 finals have always attracted packed stadiums, and this season is expected to continue the trend.

Last Year, Newlands Sold Out All Five Matches at the Venue - Graeme Smith

SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith stated that last year’s Newlands matches sold out and expects the final on a Sunday to provide great weather, entertainment, and a lively atmosphere for the champions.

“SA20 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. “Last year Newlands sold out all five matches at the venue, and with the Final taking place on a Sunday, it sets up an incredible afternoon with great weather, entertainment and a lively atmosphere to crown our Season 4 Champions."

“Durban will host a Playoff for the first time, and we’re hoping this will excite the fans, especially because the two best teams of the competition will be playing in Qualifier 1. We’re also excited to go back to Centurion and Wanderers on Thursday and Friday nights. It’s always key to have the venues close together because the matches are a day apart."

The Fans Have Been at the Heart of Our Success - Graeme Smith

The announcement completes the tournament schedule. Notably, all Group Stage venues were already released earlier. Fans can book their tickets for the upcoming matches.

“The fans have been at the heart of our success over the past three seasons. I think with the league taking place during the majority of the holiday season, we will see a lot of interest around the country,” Smith said.

SA20 teams have revealed their retained players, with each franchise allowed to keep up to six, including a maximum of three South African and three overseas players. Notably, stars like Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram opted to enter the auction instead of being retained.

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