Soweto Derby 2026: Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs on 31 October at FNB Stadium
Soweto Derby at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs |
| Date | Saturday 31 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 15:30 (as listed; the PSL confirms the final time) |
| Venue | FNB Stadium, Nasrec, Johannesburg |
| Competition | PSL Premiership 2026/27, first league derby of the season |
| Home team | Orlando Pirates |
| Tickets | Sold out (63,680 public tickets) |
| Return match | Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates, Saturday 13 March 2027 |
FNB Stadium or Orlando Stadium?
In September 2026 the PSL fixture list showed Orlando Stadium, because Pirates are the home team and Orlando Stadium is their home ground. Stadium Management South Africa said at the time that the listing was not a final decision. Tickets then went on sale for FNB Stadium, which holds about 94,000 people, more than twice Orlando Stadium’s capacity. The match is at FNB Stadium.
How the Teams Come Into the Derby
| Orlando Pirates | Kaizer Chiefs | |
|---|---|---|
| League record before the derby | Unbeaten in 8: 7 wins, 1 draw | Unbeaten in 8: 3 wins, 5 draws |
| League position in mid-October 2026 | 2nd, one point behind Mamelodi Sundowns | 5th |
| Head coach | Abdeslam Ouaddou | Fernando Da Cruz (first season) |
| 2025/26 season | League champions (MTN8, Carling Knockout and league treble) | Third in the league |
| Africa before the derby | CAF Champions League | CAF Confederation Cup: lost 1-0 away to Red Arrows of Zambia; return leg on Friday 23 October at Moses Mabhida Stadium |
Pirates went into the derby in strong form, including a 3-0 league win over TS Galaxy on 13 October. Chiefs had drawn more than half of their league games, and Da Cruz called for togetherness after the defeat in Zambia.
Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Makgopa | Pirates | Four goals in five games against Chiefs, including a goal in each of his last three derbies. He was back from a knee tendon injury in October 2026 |
| Boitumelo Radiopane | Pirates | Three league goals in five games early in 2026/27 |
| Yanela Mbuthuma | Pirates | Two league goals and key assists in the MTN8 |
Pirates are without Relebohile Mofokeng, who joined Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium in July 2026. Chiefs were missing attacking players to injury early in the season, so check the team sheets an hour before kick-off.
Recent Soweto Derby Results
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates (league), FNB Stadium | Chiefs 0, Pirates 3 |
| April 2026 | League | 1-1 draw |
The 3-0 win in February 2026 was Pirates’ biggest league win over Chiefs since the 2001/02 season, and it helped them on the way to the title. Makgopa came off the bench and headed the third goal.
Ticket Prices
Tickets for 31 October are sold out. These were the public prices, some of which included return transport:
| Ticket | Price | With return Gautrain bus | With return Rea Vaya bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 1 and 5 | R140 | R165 | R200 |
| Level 2 | R200 | R225 | R260 |
| Children | R50 | R75 | R110 |
Hospitality packages cost from R5,395 to R5,795 per person. Do not buy tickets from people on social media or outside the stadium: tickets are scanned, and duplicates are refused at the gates.
Getting to FNB Stadium
- Use public transport where you can: park-and-ride shuttles, Rea Vaya buses and the Gautrain bus options sold with tickets.
- Arrive hours early. The Nasrec area fills up from mid-morning, and roads stay busy long after the final whistle.
- E-hailing is another option, but expect long waits after the match.
Why the Soweto Derby Is So Big
The rivalry goes back to 1970, when Kaizer Motaung, a former Orlando Pirates player, started Kaizer Chiefs. The two Soweto clubs have the biggest fan bases in South Africa, and derbies at FNB Stadium regularly draw crowds of more than 80,000, with songs, choreography and colour in the stands.
Where to Watch on TV
SuperSport shows every PSL Premiership match on DStv. Free-to-air coverage on SABC depends on its sub-licence deal for the season, so check SABC Sport’s listings in the week of the match.
Soweto Derby Questions
When is the next Soweto Derby?
On Saturday 31 October 2026 at FNB Stadium, with Orlando Pirates at home to Kaizer Chiefs.
What time does the Soweto Derby kick off?
It is listed for 15:30. Check the PSL’s confirmation in the week of the match, because TV schedules can move kick-off times.
Is the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium or Orlando Stadium?
FNB Stadium. The fixture list first showed Orlando Stadium, but tickets were sold for FNB Stadium.
How much are Soweto Derby tickets?
General tickets were R140 to R200 and children’s tickets R50. All 63,680 public tickets sold out within a day.
Who won the last Soweto Derby?
The last league derby, in April 2026, ended 1-1. Before that, Pirates won 3-0 on 28 February 2026.
When is the second Soweto Derby of the season?
On Saturday 13 March 2027, with Kaizer Chiefs as the home team.
More: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, PSL 2026/27 season guide and the Carling Knockout 2026.
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