Cape Town will welcome South Africa’s top netball talent when the 2026 SPAR National Netball Championships take place at Stellenberg High School from 6 to 11 August, with defending champions Johannesburg aiming to secure a fifth consecutive senior title.
The annual inter-district tournament, one of the country’s biggest netball events, will feature 122 teams, comprising 58 senior district sides and 64 under-21 teams. Around 1,900 players and 100 umpires are expected to participate over six days of competition.
Johannesburg enter the tournament as defending champions after edging hosts Cape Town 52-51 in a thrilling 2025 final in Boksburg. The defending champions had lost to Cape Town during the round-robin stage before fighting back to reclaim the title. Johannesburg will also defend the Under-21 championship.
Matches will be played across two venues, including two indoor courts with specialised flooring, eight outdoor courts three equipped with floodlights and additional courts at Gene Louw Primary School. The tournament concludes on 11 August with the Under-21 final followed by the senior final.
Held during Women’s Month, the championships will also celebrate Women’s Day on 9 August, highlighting the continued growth of women’s sport while providing a key platform for identifying future SPAR Proteas.
Netball South Africa President Mami Diale said the tournament continues to play a vital role in uncovering talent across the country.
For many years, the SPAR National Netball Championships have been a valuable platform for university clubs and coaches to discover the untapped talent available in the country. The tournament’s consistent growth demonstrates the talent and the desire of thousands of young girls to play the sport.
Diale also praised SPAR’s continued investment in the sport and highlighted the organisations’ joint End Period Povertycampaign.
SPAR is a strategic partner of Netball South Africa and plays a crucial role in its development. Their unwavering support is essential to realising our vision and creating elite and professional tournaments.
She added that the initiative aims to ensure no girl misses school, training or matches because she cannot afford sanitary products.
SPAR Group PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager Mpudi Maubane said the retailer remains committed to empowering women through sport while raising awareness about gender-based violence and period poverty.
We believe that when women thrive, families flourish, communities grow stronger and our nation moves forward.
Chairperson of Cape Town Netball and the Local Organising Committee Hanlie van der Merwe said hosting the championships was an honour and hoped the event would inspire the next generation of players in the Western Cape.
We hope that Cape Town’s hosting of this event will inspire many junior players in the area to work hard to one day be part of these championships and eventually go on to even greater things.
Selected matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, with broadcast details set to be announced closer to the tournament.
A Section Teams
Senior: Johannesburg A, Mangaung, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Cape Town A, Tshwane A, Nelson Mandela Bay A, Alfred Nzo, Botswana.
Under-21: Johannesburg A, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Tshwane, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, Royal Bafokeng.
Images: Netball South Africa