Cape Town to host SA20 final; playoffs in Durban, Centurion and Johannesburg

Newlands will host the opening match as well as the final of the SA20 2025-26. The tournament begins on December 26 with defending champions MI Cape Town taking on Durban's Super Giants. The final will be played on January 25.

The Qualifier 1 will take place in Durban on January 21, the Eliminator in Centurion on January 23, and the Qualifier 2 in Johannesburg the following day.

"The 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," Graeme Smith, the league commissioner, 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. We are hoping this will excite the fans, especially because the two best teams of the competition will be playing in that 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."

For now, the teams will be focused on the player auction scheduled for September 9, where they will finalise their 19-player squads.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of SA20, and were runners-up in the previous edition, where they fell short against MI Cape Town.