Get ready, GP (Gauteng…eleng) the continent’s premier pop culture and gaming festival is back!
Running over the Heritage Day long weekend from 24 to 27 September 2026, Comic Con Africa (powered by Capitec) is transforming Hall 6 at the Joburg Expo Centre (Nasrec) into a massive, 7,000-square-metre gaming and tech paradise.
Whether you’re a casual gamer, an aspiring esports athlete, or a hardcore enthusiast looking for the latest gear, this year’s setup promises non-stop action, high-stakes tournaments, free-to-play zones, and unprecedented retail deals.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect at the ultimate gaming playground.
1. High-Stakes Esports & Major Tournaments
Telkom VS Gaming
Telkom VS Gaming returns to the main stage with high-octane esports action. Catch elite national teams battling it out in the Top 8 CS2 Masters and Top 4 HSEL CS2 championship finals. For the first time, Telkom is introducing a free-to-play Tekken tournament, open for attendees to register on-site for a chance to win top prizes. Fans can also compete in the eDiski EAFC Zone, drop into the PUBG Mobile Gaming Zone, or test out mobile titles with Samsung Mobile.
Red Bull Wings Cup
Soccer and gaming fans can head to the Red Bull Wings Cup area to watch top pros go head-to-head on EA SPORTS FC 27. Want to test your own skills? Step into the free-to-play zone, challenge your friends, and see how your game stacks up.
RGB Gaming: Supporting Grassroots Esports
RGB Gaming is showcasing the future of African esports with multi-tier scholastic finals throughout the weekend:
Thursday: Primary school showdowns featuring Minecraft and Rocket League.
Friday: The culmination of the Mobile Stars programme, featuring eight finalist schools from underprivileged regions competing for life-changing esports equipment and support.
Saturday: 50 university-level teams battling in Apex Legends.
Sunday: High school finals featuring Fortnite and Rocket League.
2. Interactive Experiences & Novelty Activations
The Toyota Gaming Engine (TTGE), Toyota’s mini-stage, is packed with free-to-play stations—from full-motion sim racing rigs running Gran Turismo 7 to Street Fighter, Brawlhalla, Clash Royale, and Subway Surfers. Outside in the food court, check out the physical Load The Hilux challenge: race against the clock to pack oversized cargo into a real-life Toyota Hilux for daily prizes. Keep an eye out for the custom-built Hilux Transformer moving through the hall; post a photo tagging TTGE or submit name ideas to stand a chance at winning a share of R15,000 in eGift vouchers.
Fanta Chill Zone & Call of Duty Activation
Grab an orange soda and head to the Fanta stand for free-to-play Halo on the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection, step inside the immersive Call of Duty: Survive The Sweep zone, or just kick back in the lounge area.
Retro Arcade Nostalgia
Step back into the 1980s in the Retro Arcade Zone. Play arcade classics like Space Invaders and Pac-Man, show off your moves on Dance Dance Revolution, shoot hoops, or enjoy a game of pool.
Toshiba Street Fighter Zone
Located in Otaku Town, test your combos in the Street Fighter Free-to-Play Zone. Daily leaderboards give top contenders a chance to win a brand-new Toshiba TV.3.
Tech Upgrades, Deals, & Education
Massive Retail Hub: Hardware partner PC Builder has teamed up with Computer Mania to launch a sprawling, 1,000-square-metre retail zone packed with exclusive deals from leading tech brands.
Incredible Connection: Chat with Incredible Xperts for custom-rig advice, catch live hardware demos, and join interactive gaming challenges to win prizes.
ASUS Solo Debut: ASUS makes its standalone debut, showcasing the latest ROG gear—including VR glasses, ProArt tablets, and hardware demos with brand representatives.
Brand Specials: Keep an eye out for unmissable offers from Wantech, SMD, Prima Interactive, Honor, and Amethyst Gaming.
Esports Education: Students interested in building a career in competitive gaming can stop by the Eduvos and Crawford Schools stands to explore specialized esports education programmes.
Dates: 24 – 27 September 2026 (Open daily from 09:00 to 18:00)
Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec
Tickets: Available exclusively via Howler (selling fast). Don’t miss out on the biggest gaming and pop culture event on the continent!
