The 2026/27 MTN8 has been launched in Johannesburg, with the winners set to collect R10 million and Orlando Pirates beginning their bid to make history by lifting the trophy for a fifth consecutive season.
South Africa’s top eight clubs will compete for the first major silverware of the new Betway Premiership campaign, with the quarter-finals scheduled to take place this weekend.
Tournament organisers have confirmed a number of financial rewards for this year’s competition. Alongside the R10 million prize for the champions, one supporter will win R1 million through the popular Last Fan Standing competition.
A R20,000 donation will also be made for every goal scored during the tournament. This year’s campaign will be played under the theme: “There can only be ONE!”
Orlando Pirates enter the competition as holders and have the opportunity to set a new benchmark in the MTN8. The Buccaneers could become the first club to win the tournament in five successive seasons.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team made a positive start to their Betway Premiership campaign with a victory and will now look to carry that momentum into the Wafa Wafa competition.
Pirates secured last season’s title with a 3-0 extra-time victory over Stellenbosch FC in the final. Tshepang Moremi scored twice in that match, while Tshegofatso Mabasa added the third goal to complete another memorable triumph for the club.
They will be among the leading contenders when the knockout stages begin, but the rest of the field includes several teams with ambitions of claiming the opening trophy of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs return to the MTN8 after failing to qualify last term. Fernando da Cruz’s side will host Lamontville Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday in one of the weekend’s quarter-final fixtures.
Amakhosi also began their new Betway Premiership campaign with a win. They will hope to use that result as a platform to progress to the semi-finals and mount a challenge for the trophy.
The other quarter-final ties will see Mamelodi Sundowns face a difficult test against Polokwane City, while AmaZulu FC take on Sekhukhune United for a place in the last four.
By the end of Sunday, the competition will have been reduced to four teams. Pirates are pursuing an unprecedented fifth successive MTN8 crown, while Chiefs are back among the leading clubs competing for the first piece of silverware of the campaign.
The tournament launch has also opened the debate over which side is best placed to win the cup.
Supporters have been invited to share their prediction through the red comments block below.
Readers can also enter The South African’s Winter Reader Survey for the chance to win R5,000.
