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India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Record-breaking Season 3 marks continued growth for SA20
Johannesburg [South Africa], May 29 (ANI): SA20 has cemented its position as one of the best-supported live sport events in South Africa, with Season 3 data across broadcast, attendance and digital showcasing record-breaking performances and continued growth. Capacity crowds again marked the season, with the League witnessing a remarkable 70 per cent increase in sold-out matches and a sold-out Final for the third consecutive year, making this the best-attended SA20 season to date. Over four-hundred thousand fans streamed through the turnstiles at the six venues around the country. Newlands, the home of Season 3 champions MI Cape Town, made history by becoming the first venue to sell out all five home matches, as per a press release from SA20. The League also achieved a significant milestone by selling its 1 millionth ticket to a lucky recipient during the match between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. In the annual survey, fans confirmed that the stadium was the place to be, with 93 per cent describing their experience as 'excellent' and 90 per cent indicating they were likely to attend Season 4. Nielsen Sports SA data reveals that viewership continues to increase, with the overall audience reach on SuperSport up by a significant 47 per cent, a testimony to the collaboration of the League and SuperSport to grow new audiences. The opening match of the season between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town was the most viewed opening match to date. South Africans were also glued to the Final with a 72 per cent uplift in viewership from Season 2 as viewers watched new champions, MI Cape Town, win the title. Nielsen Sport SA further reported that global television viewership across broadcasters including India, the UK, the US and Pan African markets increased by 37 per cent, revealing the growing appeal of South Africa's premier T20 competition as one of the top T20 franchise leagues around the world. In a fast-moving digital landscape, SA20 continues to show incredible growth with a 62 per cent increase in followers across all social media platforms, an 87 per cent increase in the following for Franchise teams, a 93 per cent increase in video views and a 233% rise in website traffic users from Season 2. As the awareness of the competition grows, this interest is reflected in exponential growth in the PR and media sectors in both South Africa and India. The League achieved a 30 per cent growth in media value in SA, while there were excellent results in India driving a 96 per cent increase in media value and a 231 per cent surge in print stories. League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, said: 'Season three of the SA20 has been an absolute game-changer. This is the third year running that we have seen unprecedented growth across broadcast, attendance and digital platforms; we have really made a mark as one of the leading sports and entertainment brands in the country. Globally, our numbers continue to increase and support our vision of being the biggest T20 cricket league outside of India. We could not have achieved this success without the fans, partners, world-class players, broadcasters, franchises and stakeholders, it is been incredible to see the passion and commitment towards the League.' SA20's commitment to youth and talent development both on and off the field was showcased via various initiatives in Season 3. Through its leadership programme, the League provided 26 young industry talent--including 4 Laureus YES (Youth Employment in Sport) programme recipients and 6 photography students--with the opportunity to work and gain experience as part of the competition's delivery team on the ground. The League also raised R630,000 for its social impact partner, the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. Using sport including cricket programmes, the Foundation helps young people overcome limitations imposed by challenging social issues including poverty, homelessness, violence drug abuse and AIDS. Another highlight of the season was the opportunity to positively impact South African cricket's eco-system with the launch of the inaugural Schools SA20. Over 600 schools competed with a first-ever national girls' competition being incorporated. The competition reached a thrilling finish with the Schools SA20 Final Showdown at the Cricket SA High Performance Centre in Pretoria, where Steyn City School from Johannesburg and Bishops Diocesan College from Cape Town were crowned the inaugural girls' and boys' champions respectively. As part of the prize, the League and SACA also provided a full scholarship to two promising Grade 7 cricketers (one boy and one girl learner) to attend the winning schools, covering annual school fees, hostel fees (if applicable) and additional costs. 'The positive impact off the field is equally important and rewarding for us as the League,' Smith explained. 'The Schools SA20 was an excellent platform for the next generation in its debut season and will no doubt continue to give hundreds of young cricketers around the country opportunities. Planning is progressing well for Season 4 in the new holiday window, and we look forward to celebrating the festive season with all our fans.' The fourth season of the competition will get under on December 26, 2025, with major announcements around fixtures, player signings, and the auction to be communicated soon. (ANI)
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Business Standard
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
SA20 Season 3 sets record growth in stadium attendance, global broadcast
The third edition of the SA20 has delivered its most successful season yet, breaking multiple records across live attendance, television viewership, and digital reach. With more than 400,000 fans attending matches across six venues, Season 3 was officially the best-attended in the league's history. A 70 per cent rise in sold-out fixtures, including a packed house for the Final for a third consecutive year, highlighted the competition's growing popularity. MI Cape Town, crowned champions this season, added to the historic tone by selling out all five home games at Newlands — a league first. The SA20 also hit a major milestone, selling its one-millionth ticket during a clash between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. Television and digital reach break new ground The league's broadcast success was equally staggering. According to Nielsen Sports SA, SuperSport's viewership figures soared by 47 per cent, reflecting the collaboration between the broadcaster and the league to attract new fans. The opening game of the season — MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape — was the most-watched opener ever. Viewership of the Final jumped by 72 per cent from Season 2, as fans tuned in to see MI Cape Town lift the trophy. International audiences across India, the UK, the US, and Africa grew by 37 per cent, solidifying SA20's stature as a top-tier global T20 league. Digital, media and fan engagement soar Digital engagement also witnessed a boom. The league reported a 62 per cent rise in total social media followers, while video views grew by 93 per cent. Franchise pages gained 87 per cent more followers, and web traffic spiked by 233 per cent from last year. Media presence expanded as well, with media value increasing 30 per cent in South Africa and a massive 96 per cent in India. Commissioner Graeme Smith called the growth 'game-changing' and credited the fans, franchises, and partners for their shared passion. Strong social impact and youth focus Season 3 also highlighted SA20's commitment to social upliftment. Through its learnership programme, 26 young professionals gained hands-on experience, while a total of R630,000 was raised for the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. The inaugural Schools SA20, featuring over 600 schools, concluded with Steyn City and Bishops Diocesan College winning the girls' and boys' finals. The league also awarded full scholarships to two standout Grade 7 cricketers. Looking ahead to Season 4 Planning is already under way for Season 4, which begins on December 26, 2025. Smith said fans can expect fresh announcements on player auctions and fixtures soon, promising another memorable season for one of the world's fastest-growing T20 leagues.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
SA20 continues meteoric rise with record-breaking third season
The third edition of South Africa's premier T20 franchise league, SA20, has delivered record-breaking numbers across attendance, broadcast and digital platforms, firmly establishing itself as one of the most followed live sporting events in the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 2025 season witnessed unprecedented crowd engagement, with over 400,000 fans attending matches across six venues. A 70% surge in sold-out fixtures, including a full house for the final for the third year running, marked SA20 Season 3 as the most attended edition to date. MI Cape Town's home ground, Newlands, etched history by selling out all five of its home games—a first in the League's short but growing legacy. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! One of the season's standout moments came during the clash between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers, where the league celebrated selling its one millionth ticket. Fan satisfaction remained sky-high, with 93% of attendees rating their stadium experience as "excellent" and 90% expressing a keen interest in returning for Season 4. On the broadcast front, Nielsen Sports SA reported a 47% rise in viewership on SuperSport, with the opening match between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town becoming the most-watched season opener in league history. The grand finale saw a 72% increase in local viewership compared to the previous season, as MI Cape Town clinched the title. More Than a Team: The Rise of CSK & the Whistle Podu Army The league's international appeal also soared, with global viewership—spanning India, the UK, the US, and Pan-African regions—jumping by 37%. These numbers cement SA20's status as one of the most prominent T20 franchise leagues outside India. SA20 also thrived in the digital arena. The league registered a 62% growth in social media followers, an 87% spike for franchise accounts, a 93% boost in video views, and a staggering 233% rise in website traffic from the previous season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This growing popularity translated into significant media traction. The league saw a 30% rise in media value in South Africa and a remarkable 96% increase in India. Print media coverage also surged by 231%. Reflecting on the season's success, League Commissioner said: 'Season three of the SA20 has been an absolute game-changer. This is the third year running that we have seen unprecedented growth across broadcast, attendance and digital platforms. We have really made a mark as one of the leading sport and entertainment brands in the country. Globally, our numbers continue to increase and support our vision of being the biggest T20 cricket league outside of India.' Season 3 also underlined SA20's commitment to youth development. Through its learnership programme, the league offered hands-on experience to 26 young professionals, including participants from the Laureus YES (Youth Employment in Sport) initiative and photography students. In its partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, SA20 raised R630,000 to support programmes aimed at helping youth tackle societal challenges like poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse. The season also saw the successful launch of Schools SA20, a first-of-its-kind grassroots initiative featuring over 600 participating schools, including a debut girls' competition. The final showdown at Cricket South Africa's High Performance Centre crowned Steyn City School (Johannesburg) and Bishops Diocesan College (Cape Town) as the inaugural girls' and boys' champions, respectively. In a boost to youth education and sport, two promising Grade 7 cricketers received full scholarships to the winning schools. 'The positive impact off the field is equally important and rewarding for us as the League,' Smith added. 'The Schools SA20 was an excellent platform for the next generation in its debut season and will no doubt continue to give hundreds of young cricketers around the country opportunities.'
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
South Africa's SA20 continues to grow in season 3, breaks viewership, attendance records
Betway SA20 has quickly become one of the best supported live sport events in South Africa , with Season 3 data across broadcast, attendance and digital showcasing record-breaking performances and continued growth. The popularity increased as capacity crowds marked the season, with the League witnessing a 70 per cent increase in sold-out matches and a sold out final for the third consecutive year, making it the best-attended SA20 season. Over four-hundred thousand fans streamed through the six venues around the country. Newlands, the home of Season 3 champions MI Cape Town , made the record by becoming the first venue to sell out all five home matches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo The league also saw the sale of the 1 millionth ticket to a lucky recipient during the match between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. In the annual survey, fans affirmed that the stadium was the place to be, with 93% describing their experience as 'excellent' and 90% indicating they were likely to attend Season 4. Live Events Nielsen Sports SA data reveals that viewership continues to increase, with the overall audience reach on SuperSport up by a significant 47%, a testimony to the collaboration of the League and SuperSport to grow new audiences. The opening match of the season between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town was the most viewed opening match to date. South Africans were also glued to the Final with a 72% uplift in viewership from Season 2 as viewers watched new champions, MI Cape Town, win the title. Nielsen Sport SA further reported that global television viewership across broadcasters including India, the UK, the US and Pan African markets increased by 37%. SA20 continues to show growth even on digital platforms with a 62% increase in followers across all social media platforms, an 87% increase in the following for Franchise teams, a 93% increase in video views and a 233% rise in website traffic users from Season 2. Further, The League achieved a 30% growth in media value in SA, while there were excellent results in India driving a 96% increase in media value and a 231% surge in print stories. League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said, "Season three of the Betway SA20 has been an absolute game-changer. This is the third year running that we have seen unprecedented growth across broadcast, attendance and digital platforms; we have really made a mark as one of the leading sport and entertainment brands in the country. Globally, our numbers continue to increase and support our vision of being the biggest T20 cricket league outside of India. We couldn't have achieved this success without the fans, partners, world-class players, broadcasters, franchises and stakeholders, it's been incredible to see the passion and commitment towards the League.' SA20's commitment to youth and talent development both on and off the field was showcased via various initiatives in Season 3. Through its learnership programme, the League provided 26 young industry talent, including four Laureus YES (Youth Employment in Sport) programme recipients and six photography students , the opportunity to work and gain experience as part of the competition's delivery team on the ground. The League also raised R630 000 (About Rs 30 lakh) for its social impact partner, the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. The Foundation helps young people overcome limitations imposed by challenging social issues including poverty, homelessness, violence drug abuse and AIDS by using sport including cricket. Another highlight of the season was the opportunity to positively impact South African cricket's eco-system with the launch of the inaugural Schools SA20. Over 600 schools competed with a first-ever national girls' competition being incorporated. 'The positive impact off the field is equally important and rewarding for us as the League,' Smith explained. 'The Schools SA20 was an excellent platform for the next generation in its debut season and will no doubt continue to give hundreds of young cricketers around the country opportunities. Planning is progressing well for Season 4 in the new holiday window, and we look forward to celebrating the festive season with all our fans,' he added. The fourth season of the competition will begin on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, with major announcements around fixtures, player signings and the auction to be communicated soon.
The South African
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kagiso Rabada's recreational drug confirmed as COCAINE
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has completed a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance during the SA20 tournament earlier this year. The 28-year-old was suspended following the detection of benzoylecgonine (BZE), a metabolite of cocaine, in a urine sample collected after MI Cape Town's SA20 match against Durban's Super Giants in January. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) confirmed the positive test and subsequent disciplinary action. 'He was tested after the match, he provided the sample, and that sample tested positive for a substance of abuse,' said Saids CEO Khalid Galant. Galant noted that positive drug tests in cricket are rare in South Africa, with no similar cases reported in recent years. Kagiso Rabada chose not to have his 'B' sample tested, a decision Saids deemed pragmatic. 'If you know you did it, it saves you time and legal fees,' Galant said. The suspension was quietly served after Rabada returned from India in early April. He is now back with his Indian Premier League franchise, the Gujarat Titans, although the IPL has been suspended amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. No matches have been played since last Thursday, and league officials were expected to meet over the weekend to determine the tournament's future. Despite the setback, Rabada remains eligible for international selection and is expected to join the Proteas Test squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's in London next month. The incident has reignited discussions around drug use in professional sport, though authorities have reiterated that the substance involved is classified under 'substances of abuse' rather than performance enhancers, which carries a different disciplinary framework. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
