Joburg’s biggest day of horse racing is back.
The 2026 Betway Summer Cup takes centre stage at Johannesburg’s historic landmark, Turffontein Racecourse
on Saturday, 28 November 2026.
A race as old as Joburg itself
Horse racing is as deeply rooted in Johannesburg as the city itself – and almost as old.
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 following the discovery of gold, and on 30 December that same year the
first recorded horse race in the city, the Witwatersrand Handicap, was run.
The success of that meeting led to the establishment of the Johannesburg Turf Club in 1887. Its inaugural
meeting featured the Johannesburg Handicap, the forerunner of today's Summer Cup.
First run over two miles for a stake of £250, the race has evolved alongside the city over almost 140
years. It has carried many names and attracted some of the country's biggest sponsors, but its place at
the heart of Johannesburg's sporting and social calendar has endured.
In 2001, it became the Summer Cup. In 2022, Betway took up the title sponsorship, ushering in a new
chapter for one of South Africa's most iconic racing events.
Celebrate Summer
Today, the Betway Summer Cup is about much more than what happens on the track. It is one of the biggest
dates on Johannesburg’s social calendar – bringing together world-class racing, fashion, food, music and
entertainment for a day unlike any other.
The Summer Cup welcomes racing fans, fashionistas, foodies, families and
first-time racegoers alike. Whether you're there for the thrill of the track, the atmosphere in the
hospitality zones, the food and drinks, the fashion or the live entertainment, there is something to make
the day your own.
Mark your calendar. Dress to impress. And come experience the energy of the Betway Summer Cup.
Tickets are on sale now. Prices start from as little as R100 for general admission and can be purchased
from Howler.
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