Carling puts fans at the heart of the 2026 Knockout Cup with prediction competitions

The Carling Knockout Cup returns for its fourth edition, reaffirming Carling Black Label’s established position with South Africa’s football landscape and its continued commitment to putting champion fans at heart of the game.

Since becoming a sponsor of the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023, Carling Black Label has continued to build on the tournament’s strong local footprint, using the platform to create meaningful opportunities for champion fans to have their voices heard, influence the game they love and be rewarded for their football knowledge.

In 2026, the brand is taking that commitment even further with the introduction of the Champion Coach Experience, giving fans an opportunity to put their football knowledge to the test, have their voices heard throughout the tournament and stand a chance to be rewarded with a Champion Coach Experience at the Final.

The 2026 Carling Knockout Cup, brought to Mzansi by the Premier Soccer League in partnership with Carling Black Label, officially launched on Tuesday night.

The Carling Knockout holders Orlando Pirates will be at home to Betway Premiership rookies for the second time this season. Fellow Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs will be at home to TS Galaxy.

Last season’s finalists Marumo Gallants will visit Mamelodi Sundowns, which is a repeat of last season’s fixture in this competition’s last 16 round. Newcomers Kruger United will mark their Carling debut with a home game against Arthur Zwane’s high flying AmaZulu FC.

FULL 2026 CARLING KNOCKOUT CUP LAST 16 DRAW

• Kruger United vs AmaZulu FC
• Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants
• Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Chippa United
• Durban City vs Stellenbosch FC
• Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC
• Polokwane City vs Siwelele FC
• Sekhukhune United vs Richards Bay FC
• Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy

With the Last 16 stage now set, fans can look forward to the next chapter of the tournament, with fixture dates to be announced in due course by the PSL.

LETTING THE FANS IN ON THE ACTION

For Carling Black Label, the fourth edition of the Carling Knockout is about more than simply watching the game. It is about giving Champion Fans a genuine opportunity to participate, influence and be recognised for their knowledge of the sport.

For each fixture, fans can use a unique code from a promotional Black Label pack to predict the Starting XI for both their team and the opposition. Should fans get the most accurate prediction of the starting line-ups, they stand a chance to win instant prizes and climb the Champion Coach leaderboard to get closer to the ultimate Champion Coach Experience in the final.

“Since becoming a sponsor of the Carling Knockout Cup, we have continued to look for ways to bring fans closer to the football they love,” brand director Kerryn Greanleaf said. “This year, we are taking that idea further by putting fans in the coach’s seat and giving them a champion coach experience. The experience allows them to think, speak and act like coaches, test their football knowledge and ultimately be rewarded for it.” 

“Football fans have always coached from the sidelines. They know who should start, the formation, who should be dropped and who can change a game. With the Champion Coach Experience, we are giving them an opportunity to put those opinions to the test by predicting the starting line-up for every game,” Greanleaf added.

VOTE FOR YOUR CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE MATCH

The Champion Fans experience does not stop before kick-off. During every game, fans can also vote for the Champion of the Match, giving them another opportunity to make their voices heard by recognising the player who made the biggest impact on the pitch. One lucky fan who correctly predicts the Man of the Match stands a chance to win R10 000.

“Carling Black Label has always been a brand that believes the Champion Fan should have a voice in the game,” brand director Greanleaf opined.

“Every fixture creates another opportunity for our Champion Fans to make their voice count. This is their game, their call.”