Millions of football fans across South Africa who rely on free-to-air television will have to wait longer to watch the return of top-flight football, after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) confirmed it will not broadcast the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
The public broadcaster has officially addressed the delayed television rights agreement, revealing that ongoing sub-licensing negotiations with CANAL+—the current holders of the broadcast rights alongside MultiChoice—could not be completed before the start of the new campaign.
Why the Betway Premiership Broadcast Deal Has Been Delayed
The SABC confirmed that discussions regarding the Premier Soccer League (PSL) sub-licensing agreement have been ongoing and remain constructive. However, the two parties were unable to finalize the commercial terms in time for the opening weekend of league action.
Despite the setback, the public broadcaster remains confident that an agreement will be reached soon, paving the way for millions of supporters to regain access to live Betway Premiership matches.
SABC Group Chief Executive Officer Nomsa Chabeli said:
“We remain optimistic that these will be concluded soon, allowing us to bring even more South African football to audiences across the country.”
If negotiations are successfully concluded, the SABC expects to resume free-to-air live broadcasts of the Betway Premiership from 15 August 2026.
Positive News: SABC Secures 2026 MTN8 Broadcast Rights
While league matches will temporarily remain unavailable on public television, supporters have received a boost with confirmation that the SABC has secured a separate agreement to broadcast the 2026 MTN8 tournament.
The deal ensures that football lovers without subscription services will still have access to one of South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competitions, featuring the country’s biggest clubs battling for early-season silverware.
CANAL+ Africa and MultiChoice Group CEO David Mignot welcomed the partnership with the SABC while confirming that discussions over the wider free-to-air agreement are continuing.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the SABC for the broadcast of the 2026 MTN8 cup competition. We continue to have engaging discussions about the rest of the 2026/27 free-to-air sub-licensing agreement, which we hope to conclude soon.”
Fans Left Searching for Alternatives
The timing of the announcement has disappointed many supporters who depend on SABC channels to follow their favorite teams throughout the season.
The opening weekend promises several exciting encounters, including defending champions Orlando Pirates beginning their title defence and Kaizer Chiefs starting their campaign away from home. However, fans without paid broadcasting subscriptions will need to explore alternative ways to keep up with the action.
The SABC has thanked viewers for their patience and understanding, assuring supporters that efforts are ongoing to finalize the remaining details of the broadcasting agreement ahead of the expected return date in mid-August.
For now, South African football fans will have to wait a little longer before the nation’s most accessible football broadcast returns to free-to-air television.
