Gauteng’s CAF Champions League Glory Shines a Spotlight on Sports Tourism

Gauteng is basking in continental glory as local football giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns continue their spectacular run in the CAF Champions League. But beyond the pitch, this success signals a major win for sports tourism and destination marketing in South Africa’s golden province.

According to the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), the outstanding performances of these teams, both at home and away, have not only electrified fans but also boosted Gauteng’s reputation as the Home of Champions and Africa’s premier sports and entertainment destination.

“We draw courage from their performances as we continue to mainstream sports tourism as an important element of our destination marketing mix,” said GTA CEO Sthembiso Dlamini.

#SportingGP: A World-Class Sports Tourism Route

Coinciding with this football frenzy, the GTA unveiled a comprehensive sports tourism itinerary at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa in Cape Town. The newly launched #SportingGP Route features iconic venues including:

• FNB Stadium
• SA Sports Hall of Fame
• Orlando Stadium
• DP World Wanderers Stadium
• Loftus Versfeld
• Supersport Park
• Emirates Park
• Naturena Chiefs Village
  …and many more across Gauteng townships and metros.

This initiative is designed not just to celebrate Gauteng’s sports heritage but to transform the tourism sector by involving retired athletes, township-based operators, and emerging destination marketers.

“Former players can now be trained as tourism guides and entrepreneurs, creating economic value while preserving our rich sporting culture,” added Dlamini.

Amapiano Meets Travel: The Rise of the #MusicalGP

As the undisputed home of Amapiano, Gauteng is also revolutionising music tourism with the launch of the #MusicalGP Route. Townships like Soweto, Tembisa, Mamelodi, Alexandra and Daveyton are now key destinations for fans of the genre that’s taken the world by storm.

Whether you’re tracking the roots of this genre or vibing at mega-events like Ultra South Africa or the Joy of Jazz Festival, Gauteng offers immersive cultural journeys that go beyond the ordinary.

Explore more upcoming events on the Gauteng Events Calendar.

Also Read: How Much Does It Really Cost to Book a Stadium in Gauteng?

Marketing South Africa Through Sport, Music, and Legacy

Gauteng’s strategic showcase at WTM Africa also highlighted legacy initiatives like the Mandela Legacy World Heritage Sites Series and tourism collaborations with Constitution Hill, Gautrain, and the Cradle of Humankind.

These initiatives aim to position Gauteng and South Africa as vibrant, united, and globally competitive destinations, especially as the province prepares to host the G20 World Leaders Summit in November 2025.

“We mean business with the business of sport, music, lifestyle, and entertainment,” declared Dlamini.

Plan Your Journey to the Golden Province

With football fever high, cultural pride booming, and new tourism routes energising the industry, now is the perfect time to explore Gauteng.

🟡 Download the Visit Gauteng Mobile App
🟡 Follow @VisitGauteng on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok
🟡 Like ‘I Love Gauteng’ on Facebook

For more information on where to go and what to do this season, visit www.gauteng.net.