Scorpion Kings Live Takes Over FNB Stadium Johannesburg [Sept 19]

Scorpion Kings Live lands at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg on Saturday 19 September 2026, with DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small headlining a bill of more than 50 artists. Gates open at 12:00, the pre-show runs from 14:00 to 18:00, and the main programme runs from roughly 18:00 until 23:30 or later. Organisers are bracing for a crowd of up to 80,000, which would make this the biggest edition yet.

• Date: Saturday 19 September 2026, gates 12:00, main show 18:00 to 23:30
• Venue: FNB Stadium, Soccer City Avenue, Nasrec, Johannesburg
• Headliners: DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, plus 50+ confirmed artists
• Tickets: R500 to R1,500, seated levels sold out, field tickets limited
• Where to buy: Webtickets online, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores nationwide

Who’s on the bill

The duo sits at the centre of it all. Kabza De Small turned Amapiano from a township sound into a global movement through projects like Piano Hub and KOA II, while DJ Maphorisa has shaped African pop, Afrobeats and Amapiano from behind the boards for over a decade. Together they’ve made Scorpion Kings Live a spring fixture, following the 2025 edition at Loftus Versfeld that pulled more than 50,000 fans to Pretoria.

The confirmed lineup stretches across genres. Vocalists Ami Faku, Msaki, Nkosazana Daughter, Nobuhle, Nokwazi and Mlindo The Vocalist handle the Afro-soul side. Amapiano heavyweights Daliwonga, Young Stunna, Focalistic, Kamo Mphela, Toss, Tman Xpress, LeeMckrazy and MaWhoo carry the dance floor. Nasty C and Blxckie represent hip-hop, veteran Ringo Madlingozi adds legend status, and Busiswa, Lady Du, Busta 929, Semi Tee and Njelic round out a list that keeps growing.

A-Reece and Dlala Thukzin lead the pre-show acts announced in early September, with showcases spanning Amapiano, hip-hop, house, Bacardi and Maskandi through the afternoon. SABC1 is the broadcast partner, so the night reaches well beyond the stadium walls. Full lineup updates land on the Scorpion Kings Live site.

Tickets and what’s left

Demand has been relentless. The first wave moved more than 70,000 tickets within a week of going live in May, another 5,000 dropped in June, and by mid-August all three seated levels had sold out. Field standing is what remains, and resale posts on X suggest even those are thinning out fast.

• Buy online: Webtickets, or in person at Pick n Pay and Boxer stores
• Field standing: R990 to R1,500, limited availability
• Level 5 seated: R500 to R750, sold out
• Levels 1 and 2 seated: R800 to R950, sold out
• Hospitality lounges (Goldrush Dome, Hall of Fame, SMSA): from about R7,239 per person via SAIL Hospitality
• Parking: R220 to R300 per vehicle

Getting there on the day

FNB Stadium sits on Soccer City Avenue in Nasrec, and with 70,000-plus expected, driving in without a plan is a mistake. Gautrain is the official transport partner, and Park & Ride packages combine secure parking with a shuttle straight to the gates. On-site parking tiers are on sale through Webtickets.

House rules are strict. No under-14s, and ID checks apply, with minors needing to be accompanied by an adult. No outside food or drinks, no passouts once you’re in, and no entry after 21:30. Security checks will be in full force, so travel light.

The buzz has been building all week. Fans on X are planning outfits, tagging SABC1 in dance entries for the “wena nabangani bakho” ticket giveaways, and trading spare tickets in the replies. If you’re plotting the rest of your spring calendar, Maskandi Fest lands in Gqeberha a week later on 27 September, and Red Bull Unlocked brings its own large-scale energy to Cape Town later in the season.

This one is for Amapiano loyalists and anyone who wants to see the genre’s full spectrum in a single day. Seated tickets are gone, so if you’re going, head to Webtickets now and lock down a field ticket or a Park & Ride package before the last wave disappears.