The South African Football Association.
By: Refilwe Sebola
The Mopani Hollywoodbets League is gearing up for the 2026/27 season, with preparations already underway ahead of the campaign’s expected kick-off next month.
The new season will get underway with the Nedbank Cup preliminary competition, scheduled to take place from 12 to 22 September 2026, before the Mopani Hollywoodbets League season officially gets underway on 26 September.
The build-up to the new campaign has already started, with SAFA player registrations opening in August as clubs work to ensure their squads are ready for the new season.
This was followed by a meeting with clubs to review the previous campaign and begin planning for the season ahead.
Match officials are also preparing for the new season, with the referees’ fitness test scheduled for 30 August. The fitness assessment will form part of the preparations to ensure officials are ready for the demands of the new campaign.
Attention will then turn to the Nedbank Cup, with the preliminary-round draw, workshop and collection of players’ cards scheduled for 6 September.
The cup competition is expected to provide an early test for the clubs before the league campaign gets underway. The preliminary competition will run from 12 September, with the final scheduled for 22 September.
Just four days later, the Mopani Hollywoodbets League is expected to officially kick off its new season on 26 September.
With player registrations, club planning and preparations for match officials already underway, the groundwork is being laid for another competitive season in Mopani football.
The Nedbank Cup will provide the first opportunity for clubs to test their squads in competitive action, while the league campaign will then give teams the chance to battle for points and position throughout the season.
For clubs, players, coaches and supporters across Mopani, the countdown to the new season has officially begun.