Polokwane Municipality Offers Kaizer Chiefs R16 Million to Play Six Matches in the City
Polokwane Municipality offers Kaizer Chiefs R16 million to play six matches in the city, aiming to boost local economy and tourism through games at the Peter Mokaba Stadium over this season and the next.
In a move set to bring excitement to football fans in Limpopo, the Polokwane Local Municipality has put forward a generous R16 million offer to Kaizer Chiefs. This incentive is designed to have the popular club play six home matches at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, spread across the current 2025/26 Betway Premiership season and the next one.
The deal aims to draw big crowds, support local businesses, and put Polokwane on the map as a key sports hub. While talks are ongoing, this follows a history of partnerships between the municipality and Chiefs, showing how such agreements can benefit both sides. Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa’s most loved football teams with a massive following, often play their home games at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. But moving some matches to other venues like Peter Mokaba can help spread the joy of the game to more fans across the country. The Polokwane Municipality sees this as a smart way to grow the local economy, with hotels, shops, and transport seeing a surge on match days.
Details of the R16 Million Incentive Offer
The offer from Polokwane Local Municipality covers six matches in total—likely three this season and three next. Each game could bring thousands of supporters to the city, filling the 45,000-seat Peter Mokaba Stadium, which was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has hosted big events since. The money would go to Chiefs to cover costs like travel, logistics, and perhaps even fan engagement activities.
This is not the first time Polokwane has reached out to Chiefs. Back in 2022, the municipality struck a deal worth close to R10 million for Chiefs to play several matches there. That agreement helped boost attendance and local spending, with games against teams like Marumo Gallants drawing full houses. However, it also led to some legal issues when Marumo Gallants claimed Chiefs enticed them with R4 million to shift a game from Polokwane, sparking a dispute over venue rights. Despite that, the overall impact was positive, showing how such partnerships can work.
For this new offer, the municipality hopes to repeat that success. Polokwane’s leaders believe hosting Chiefs will create jobs on match days, from security to vendors, and encourage tourism. Fans from nearby provinces like Gauteng and Mpumalanga often travel for games, staying overnight and exploring the area. The Peter Mokaba Stadium, with its modern facilities, is perfect for high-profile matches, and the deal could include community events like youth clinics run by Chiefs players.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Locals
The news has sparked a range of views among football lovers and residents. Many are thrilled at the chance to see stars like Yusuf Maart or Mduduzi Shabalala up close without a long trip to Johannesburg. Supporters say it will make the sport more accessible and help grow football in Limpopo, where passion for the game runs deep.
On the other hand, some question the use of public funds. Critics ask where the R16 million comes from and if it could better support local teams like Polokwane City FC, who play in the same league but struggle with smaller crowds. Polokwane City, nicknamed Rise and Shine, have been a steady side in the Betway Premiership, but they do not draw the same massive following as Chiefs. Some feel the money should go towards improving facilities for homegrown clubs or youth development programmes instead of luring a big Johannesburg team.
There are also worries about overlooking local talent. For example, Polokwane City has rising stars like winger Oswin Appollis, who has caught the eye of Chiefs and even Orlando Pirates. Chiefs recently tabled an offer over R10 million for Appollis, while Pirates are said to be preparing a R15 million bid. This shows the talent in Polokwane, and some argue the municipality should invest in keeping such players local rather than spending on visiting teams.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Recent Form and Ties to Polokwane
Kaizer Chiefs have started the 2025/26 season strongly under coach Nasreddine Nabi. They recently beat Polokwane City 1-0 at FNB Stadium, with Siphesihle Ndlovu scoring the winner in the 79th minute. This win put Chiefs at the top of the Betway Premiership table early on. The team has been boosted by the return of players like Edson Castillo, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, and Reeve Frosler from injury, making them stronger for upcoming games.
Chiefs have a history of playing in Polokwane, which has built a good relationship with the area. The 2022 deal not only brought money to the club but also helped with fan outreach. If this new offer is accepted, it could see Chiefs facing teams like Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates in Limpopo, creating blockbuster events that sell out quickly.
There is no official word yet from Chiefs on whether they will take the deal. The club is focusing on their season, including transfer moves like the bid for Appollis. Polokwane City, meanwhile, continues to compete, with players like Appollis shining for Bafana Bafana.
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