Carling Knockout Cup: Fixtures, Results, Winners and Guide
The Carling Knockout Cup is a South African football competition featuring all 16 clubs in the country’s top division. Organised by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in partnership with Carling Black Label, the tournament gives clubs another opportunity to compete for a major domestic trophy through a straight knockout format.
Since its introduction in 2023, the Carling Knockout Cup has delivered memorable results, including Magesi FC’s surprise 2024 final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates’ triumph in 2025.
The 2026 edition begins its Last 16 stage on 24 October, with the final scheduled for 9 December 2026. This guide covers the competition’s format, fixtures, results, previous winners, participating teams and where to follow the latest updates. Official PSL competition page.
Carling Knockout Cup 2026: Quick facts
- Competition: Carling Knockout Cup
- Country: South Africa
- Organiser: Premier Soccer League
- Sponsor: Carling Black Label
- Participating teams: 16 Betway Premiership clubs
- Format: Single-match knockout
- 2026 tournament dates: 24 October–9 December 2026
- Defending champions: Orlando Pirates
- Official results and fixtures: PSL Carling Knockout Cup
Carling Knockout Cup 2026 fixtures
The PSL has confirmed the dates, venues and kick-off times for all eight Last 16 matches. The opening round takes place from Saturday, 24 October to Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Source: PSL fixture announcement.
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 24 October | Golden Arrows vs Chippa United | King Zwelithini Stadium | 15:00 |
| Saturday, 24 October | Polokwane City vs Siwelele FC | Old Peter Mokaba Stadium | 18:00 |
| Sunday, 25 October | Kruger United vs AmaZulu FC | Mbombela Stadium | 15:00 |
| Sunday, 25 October | Sekhukhune United vs Richards Bay FC | New Peter Mokaba Stadium | 18:00 |
| Tuesday, 27 October | Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC | Orlando Amstel Arena | 19:00 |
| Tuesday, 27 October | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants | Loftus Versfeld Stadium | 19:00 |
| Tuesday, 27 October | Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy | FNB Stadium | 19:00 |
| Wednesday, 28 October | Durban City FC vs Stellenbosch FC | Chatsworth Stadium | 19:00 |
All kick-off times are South African Standard Time. Fixture details and ticket arrangements can change, so confirm the latest information with the PSL.
Carling Knockout Cup matches to watch
Several Last 16 ties stand out because of the clubs involved and the pressure of a single-elimination match.
Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC: The defending champions begin their title defence against Milford FC. Pirates will be aiming to progress, while Milford have the opportunity to produce a major cup result.
Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy: Chiefs face a team that has previously demonstrated its ability to upset established favourites in cup football. The match offers both clubs a chance to move closer to the trophy.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants: Sundowns enter the tournament as one of South Africa’s leading clubs, but knockout football leaves little room for mistakes. Gallants will look to take advantage of any opportunity.
Durban City FC vs Stellenbosch FC: Stellenbosch are former Carling Knockout champions, while Durban City will look to use home advantage to progress.
These are match previews, not guaranteed outcomes. Team news, recent form and confirmed line-ups should be assessed before drawing conclusions about individual fixtures.
How does the Carling Knockout Cup work?
The Carling Knockout Cup is a straight knockout competition. All 16 qualifying top-flight clubs enter the Last 16, with the winners progressing through the quarter-finals and semi-finals to the final.
The format is straightforward:
- Last 16: Sixteen clubs compete in eight matches.
- Quarter-finals: The eight winning teams advance.
- Semi-finals: Four clubs compete for a place in the final.
- Final: The last two clubs compete for the trophy.
Each tie is decided by one match, rather than a two-legged aggregate score. If the score is level after 90 minutes, extra time is played in two 15-minute periods. If the teams remain level, a penalty shootout determines the winner. Source: PSL competition rules.
This format creates a different challenge from the league season. A club cannot recover from a poor cup performance over several weeks; one defeat can end its campaign.
Carling Knockout Cup previous winners
The tournament has produced three different champions across its first three editions, demonstrating how unpredictable a knockout competition can be.
| Year | Champion | Final result |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Stellenbosch FC | Won the inaugural edition |
| 2024 | Magesi FC | Beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2–1 |
| 2025 | Orlando Pirates | Beat Marumo Gallants 1–0 |
Source: Carling Black Label’s official competition history.
Stellenbosch FC won the inaugural competition in 2023, establishing their place in the tournament’s history. Magesi FC followed with one of the competition’s most notable upsets in 2024, beating Mamelodi Sundowns 2–1 in the final. Orlando Pirates claimed the 2025 title after defeating Marumo Gallants 1–0. Official Carling Knockout Cup history.
The list of winners is worth keeping updated each year. After the 2026 final, add the new champion and final score to this section.
Which teams play in the Carling Knockout Cup?
All 16 clubs competing in the Betway Premiership qualify for the Carling Knockout Cup. The teams change when the composition of the top division changes, so the latest season’s draw is the most reliable reference.
The 2026 participants are:
- AmaZulu FC
- Chippa United
- Durban City FC
- Golden Arrows
- Kaizer Chiefs
- Kruger United
- Marumo Gallants
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Milford FC
- Orlando Pirates
- Polokwane City
- Richards Bay FC
- Sekhukhune United
- Siwelele FC
- Stellenbosch FC
- TS Galaxy
For the current draw, match results and any changes, use the official PSL tournament page.
Carling Knockout Cup results and live updates
The results determine which clubs advance to the next round and which teams are eliminated. Because each tie is decided by a single match, the competition can change quickly as the tournament progresses.
To follow the Carling Knockout Cup:
- Check the official PSL match centre for fixtures and completed results.
- Follow official PSL announcements for fixture changes and ticket information.
- Read match reports and previews for team news, tactical context and post-match analysis.
- Return to this guide for the updated fixture schedule and previous winners.
Official resource: Carling Knockout Cup fixtures and results.
What is the Champion Coach Experience?
The 2026 Carling Knockout Cup campaign includes the Champion Coach Experience, a fan-engagement initiative launched by Carling Black Label and the PSL.
Under the announced campaign, supporters can use a unique code from a promotional Carling Black Label pack to predict the starting line-ups for both teams in a fixture. More accurate predictions can help participants climb a leaderboard and stand a chance of winning prizes, including the Champion Coach Experience at the final.
Fans can also vote for the Carling Knockout Cup Champion of the Match. The campaign states that one eligible participant who correctly predicts the Man of the Match could win R10,000.
Participation rules, entry requirements and prize eligibility are subject to the official terms and conditions. Winning is not guaranteed. Details are available on the official Carling Black Label Cup website.
Why the Carling Knockout Cup matters in South African football
The Carling Knockout Cup gives Betway Premiership clubs another route to domestic silverware and creates additional high-stakes matches during the season.
For clubs, the tournament tests squad depth, tactical preparation and the ability to perform under pressure. For supporters, the knockout format creates urgency: a strong performance can take a team one step closer to the trophy, while a single defeat ends its run.
The competition has also shown that reputation does not guarantee success. Magesi’s 2024 final victory over Sundowns remains a clear example of how an underdog can make history in South African cup football.
With the 2026 Last 16 fixtures confirmed, attention turns to which clubs can survive the opening round and build a path towards the final.
Frequently asked questions about the Carling Knockout Cup
What is the Carling Knockout Cup?
The Carling Knockout Cup is a South African domestic football tournament organised by the Premier Soccer League in partnership with Carling Black Label. All 16 Betway Premiership clubs compete in a straight knockout format.
When is the Carling Knockout Cup 2026?
The 2026 competition is scheduled to run from 24 October to 9 December 2026. The Last 16 matches take place between 24 and 28 October.
Who won the Carling Knockout Cup in 2025?
Orlando Pirates won the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup, beating Marumo Gallants 1–0 in the final.
Who won the Carling Knockout Cup in 2024?
Magesi FC won the 2024 edition after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2–1 in the final.
Who won the first Carling Knockout Cup?
Stellenbosch FC won the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup in 2023.
How many teams compete in the Carling Knockout Cup?
Sixteen Betway Premiership clubs qualify for the competition.
What happens if a Carling Knockout Cup match ends in a draw?
If a match is level after 90 minutes, the teams play two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the score remains level, a penalty shootout decides which club advances.
Where can I find Carling Knockout Cup fixtures and results?
The official PSL tournament page provides fixtures, results, match summaries and competition updates: https://www.psl.co.za/tournament/carling-knockout.
Can fans win prizes during the Carling Knockout Cup?
The 2026 Champion Fans campaign includes line-up predictions and Champion of the Match voting, with opportunities to win prizes under the published terms and conditions.
When is the Carling Knockout Cup final?
The 2026 final is scheduled for 9 December 2026. Check official PSL announcements for confirmed venue, kick-off time and ticketing details.
Follow the Carling Knockout Cup on TopBetZA
Bookmark this guide for the latest Carling Knockout Cup fixtures, results, participating teams, previous winners and tournament updates. As the 2026 competition progresses, this page will be updated with completed results, quarter-final and semi-final fixtures, and the final outcome.
For accurate match information, always check the official PSL competition page alongside TopBetZA‘s previews and match reports.