The Carling Knockout Cup returns for its fourth edition, reaffirming Carling Black Label’s established position with South Africa’s football landscape and its continued commitment to putting Champion fans at heart of the game.
Since becoming a sponsor of the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023, Carling Black Label has continued to build on the tournament’s strong local footprint, using the platform to create meaningful opportunities for Champion Fans to have their voices heard, influence the game they love and be rewarded for their football knowledge.
In 2026, the brand is taking that commitment even further with the introduction of the Champion Coach Experience, giving fans an opportunity to put their football knowledge to the test, have their voices heard throughout the tournament and stand a chance to be rewarded with a Champion Coach Experience at the Final.
The 2026 Carling Knockout Cup, proudly brought to Mzansi by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in partnership with Africa’s Champion Beer, Carling Black Label, officially launched on 14 October 2026.
With the Last 16 stage now set, fans can look forward to the next chapter of the tournament, with fixture dates to be announced in due course by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
For each Carling Knockout Cup fixture, fans can use a unique code from a promotional Carling Black Label pack to predict the Starting XI for both their team and the opposition. Should fans get the most accurate prediction of the starting line-ups, they stand a chance to win instant prizes and climb the Champion Coach leaderboard to get closer to the ultimate Champion Coach Experience in the final.
The Champion Fans experience does not stop before kick-off. During every Carling Knockout game, fans can also vote for the Carling Knockout Cup Champion of the Match, giving them another opportunity to make their voices heard by recognising the player who made the biggest impact on the pitch. One lucky Champion fan who correctly predicts the Man of the Match stands a chance to win R10 000.
“Carling Black Label has always been a brand that believes the Champion Fan should have a voice in the game,” said Kerryn Greanleaf, Carling Black Label’s Brand Director.
“Since becoming a sponsor of the Carling Knockout Cup, we have continued to look for ways to bring fans closer to the football they love. This year, we are taking that idea further by putting fans in the coach’s seat and giving them a Champion Coach experience. The Champion Coach experience allows them to think, speak and act like coaches, test their football knowledge and ultimately be rewarded for it.”
Beyond the pitch, Carling Black Label will continue its long-standing commitment to encouraging positive masculinity through its #NoExcuse platform, which, has been engaging South African men on gender-based violence since 2017. Through The Real Injury Time, the platform challenges harmful behaviours and perceptions of masculinity, while Champions for Change equips men to take positive action. The #NoExcuse BRAVE WhatsApp Line (WhatsApp Brave to 0800 150 150) provides access to confidential support and guidance.
For Carling Black Label, the fourth edition of the Carling Knockout is about more than simply watching the game. It is about giving Champion Fans a genuine opportunity to participate, influence and be recognised for their knowledge of the sport.
“Football fans have always coached from the sidelines. They know who should start, the formation, who should be dropped and who can change a game. With the Champion Coach Experience, we are giving them an opportunity to put those opinions to the test by predicting the starting line-up for every game,” added Kerryn Greanleaf, Carling Black Label’s Brand Director.
“Every fixture creates another opportunity for our Champion Fans to make their voice count. This is their game, their call.”
Champion Fans can follow the official Carling Black Label social media platforms and campaign channels for further information on how to participate in the Champion Coach Experience, upcoming fixtures and CKO Champion of the Match voting.