CAPE TOWN – Cape Town’s thriving events industry delivered substantial economic returns in 2025, with more than 3,4 million spectators and participants contributing to a remarkable year of growth for the Mother City’s economy.
This according to the City of Cape Town, whose events permit office approved 1 064 events throughout the calendar year, generating significant economic activity that extended far beyond the venues themselves.
According to the City, 15 major events alone produced economic activity worth more than R2,5 billion, while 25 supported events collectively created about 40 900 employment opportunities across permanent and temporary positions.
Broad scope
The economic impact hereof extended into destination marketing, with seven events generating a combined public relations and marketing value exceeding R600 million. These occasions also provided crucial trading and exhibition opportunities for more than 2 000 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), reinforcing the events sector’s role in supporting local business development.
“Through its special events support process, the City provided support to scores of events in 2025, reinforcing our commitment to growing the events sector and strengthening its long-term economic sustainability,” said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security.
“Our review of the calendar year shows that 25 events collectively created approximately 40 900 employment opportunities, spanning both permanent and temporary jobs. This underscores our determination to work closely with event organisers to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, foster social cohesion, and position the Mother City as a globally competitive destination for events of all scales.”
Exciting events ahead
The diverse events calendar featured numerous sold-out attractions, including a Springboks versus Australia rugby Test match, the Barbarians’ first tour of South Africa, and two DHL Stormers United Rugby Championship fixtures.
Sporting highlights also encompassed international cricket matches between the Proteas Women and Ireland, the Proteas versus Pakistan New Year’s Test, and the FIM World Supercross Championship season finale.
Cultural and entertainment offerings proved equally popular, with Red Bull Flugtag’s return to Cape Town, a sold-out Comic Con Cape Town, Lebo M Live in Concert, and the Cape Town Carnival’s 15th anniversary edition. The Festive Lights Switch-On alone attracted over 100 000 attendees.
ALSO READ: GALLERY | Cape Town’s festive lights switch-on draws thousands
The momentum has continued into the new year, with Cape Town already hosting the Cape Town Street Parade, two sold-out DHL Stormers matches, and a sold-out SA20 Final at Newlands Cricket Ground in January.
Looking ahead, the Mother City anticipates another robust events calendar featuring popular annual occasions and the highly anticipated Springboks versus All Blacks Test match at DHL Stadium in August. The Stormers are also scheduled to face the All Blacks in a precursor to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, while the EFC’s Knox Legacy Series will bring combat sports to GrandWest’s Grand Arena in February.
