Carling Knockout 2026-27: Dates, Fixtures, Tickets and all you need to know

Four teams have already booked their slots in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals following the first Round of 16 matches.

AmaZulu FC secured their ticket on Sunday, October 25 when they beat Kruger United 1-0 thanks to Hendrick Ekstein’s strike while a day before, Siwelele FC also booked their slot after defeating Polokwane City.

Siwelele won 4-3 on post-match penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. Meanwhile, Golden Arrows were the first to storm the quarter-final in terrific fashion when they thumped Chippa United 4-0 on Saturday, October 24 in what was coach Mandla Ncikazi’s first game in charge.

The former Orlando Pirates assistant coach was unveiled on Thursday and he wasted no time in making his presence felt in Durban.

On Sunday, Sekhukhune United joined the other three in the quarter-final as they made it through after defeating Richards Bay 3-1.

Pirates, Downs & Chiefs’ Carling Knockout fixtures

Meanwhile, defending champions Orlando Pirates will begin their campaign against Milford FC in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, October 27 at the Orlando Amstel Arena (19:00) in what is the fourth season since the tournament was rebranded when Carling Black Label revived the former Telkom Knockout.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns, beaten finalists in 2024, will kick off against Marumo Gallants on October 27 at Loftus Versfeld, while 13-time winners Kaizer Chiefs host TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium the very day.

Stellenbosch, the 2023 champions, play away to Durban City on Wednesday October 28 at Chartsworth Stadium.

Carling Knockout Round of 16 Fixtures  

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants (19:00) – Loftus Versfeld

Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC (19:00) – Orlando Amstel Arena

Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy (19:00) – FNB Stadium

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Durban City vs Stellenbosch FC (19:00) – Chartsworth Stadium.

Carling Knockout Results

Round of 16

Kruger United 0-1 AmaZulu FC

Polokwane City 0-0 Siwelele FC (Siwelele win 4-3 on pens)

Golden Arrows 4-0 Chippa United

Sekhukhune United 3-1 Richards Bay

Carling Knockout Cup prize money 

Orlando Pirates pocketed R6.85 million for winning the 2025 Carling Knockout with the runner-up Marumo Gallants walking away with R2.85 million.

On the other hand, the semi-finalists received R1.35 million, the quarter-finalists earned R850,000, and the teams knocked out in the last 16 only gained R550,000.

There is still no indication over whether that will change in 2026.

Carling Cup Previous Winners

Kaizer Chiefs is by far the most successful side in the history of the Carling Cup, South Africa’s own version of the League Cup with 13 victories, more than three times as many as the next best, though the last triumph came all the way back in 2010.

A total of 18 clubs have been champions in its various guises since it was first played in 1982, though only one has managed to get into double figures and stands head and shoulders above the rest on the winners’ list.

Team	Title(s) Won
Arcadia Shepherds	1982
Durban Bush Bucks	1987
Dynamos	1991
AmaZulu	1992
Qwaqwa Stars	1994
Orlando Pirates	2011, 2025
Bloemfontein Celtic	2012
SuperSport United	2014
Cape Town City	2016
Baroka	2018
Stellenbosch	2023
Umtata Bush Bucks	1993, 1996
Ajax Cape Town	2000, 2008
Jomo Cosmos	2002, 2005
Platinum Stars	2006, 2013
Bidvest Wits	1985, 1995, 2017
Mamelodi Sundowns	1990, 1999, 2015, 2019
Kaizer Chiefs	1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
Magesi	2024

Carling All-Star Team Voting

Once again, this year’s winners of the Carling Knockout will get to face a Carling All-Star team that will be made up of players from the 15 other premier division clubs.

Voting details will be provided in due course.

The All-Star team will be made up of six premier division players and five from the Diski teams. This pits upcoming stars against the game’s current stars.

Carling All Stars XI

Carling All Stars XI

Carling Black Label Cup

The Carling Black Label Cup details will also be provided later.

The match will be broadcast on SuperSport TV and SABC.

Fans Take Charge

Carling Knockout Tickets

Ticketing details will also be provided later.

• General Access Tickets: TBC
• Purchase Limit: TBC

The PSL urges supporters to buy tickets only through official channels. Tickets purchased from third parties will be invalid and will not grant entry into the stadium.