What to expect from South Africa’s biggest motoring festival in 2026

South African motoring enthusiasts can look forward to the annual Festival of Motoring, which takes place for the ninth time later this year.

Returning to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand, Gauteng, the festival offers visitors an opportunity to experience all the latest models from the world’s biggest car brands in one place.

This year’s edition will take place for three days, from Friday 28 to to Sunday 30 August 2026, with tickets already on sale at Howler.co.za, or available from R350 at the gate.

Online ticket prices for the 2026 Festival of Motoring are as follows:

• General Access: – R330.00
• General Access: Children under 4 years – Free
• General Access: Children 4 – 12 years – R88.00
• General Access: Pensioner 65+ years – R270.00
• Weekend Pass – R890.00
• Weekend Pass: Pensioner 65+ years – R730.00

Cheaper “early bird” tickets are currently on sale, and will only get more expensive closer to the festival.

General access tickets are also only valid for the day they are booked, which means Friday tickets will only be valid for the Friday, and so on.

There is also a range of VIP or Hospitality packages, that include options for the whole family, available to purchase.

These grant visitors access to a suite on the rooftop of the Main Pit Building, as well as the Sarel van der Merwe Terrace.

VIP and hospitality tickets include all-day food and drinks, entertainment and a hot lap around the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in a high-performance vehicle.

Family Hospitality Packages are ideal for families with toddlers and young children, or parents who want a secure, comfortable base while staying close to the action.

These tickets grant access to the Family Premium Suite on the first floor of the Main Pit Building with big screen viewing of the festival, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and kids entertainment.

The Hospitality ticket prices are as follows:

• Premium Hospitality + hot lap – R4,500
• Premium Hospitality (no hot lap) – R2,200
• Premium Family Hospitality 15 and older + hot lap – R4,500
• Premium Family Hospitality 15 and older (not hot lap) – R2,300
• Premium Family Hospitality 13 to 14 years (no hot lap) – R1,500
• Premium Family Hospitality 5 to 12 years (no hot lap) – R800
• Premium Family Hospitality 0 to 4 years (no hot lap) – Free

These tickets are also valid only for the day on which they are booked.

What to expect

During the three-day festival, more than twenty automotive brands will gather to showcase their latest models, as well as some yet-to-be-launched offerings heading to South Africa in the near future.

Visitors can get behind the wheel of these on Kyalami’s smaller test track, while off-roading enthusiasts will be able to test a number of models in the 4×4 Village.

Spectators can enjoy high-performance professional driving demonstrations and track experiences, and can even join the drivers at the pits for a hotlap around the track.

Beyond the main track, visitors can enjoy the debut of the FoM Adventure Zone, which promises to be a high-octane hub of participation.

Individuals will be able to immerse themselves in professionally helmed drifting experiences or take to part in karting challenges.

Away from the high-speed events, there will be live entertainment, food and drink stalls, and several exhibiting merchandise vendors.

Free parking at the venue is available, yet fills up fast, meaning visitors may need to park at the Mall of Africa.

This option features a free shuttle service departing from the mall’s Entrance 6 and 8, to and from Kyalami all day.

Judy Maharaj, Show Director of the Festival of Motoring, says the ninth edition represents a promise made to South African motoring enthusiasts, and the industry.

“We have meticulously designed every track drive, every display, and every performance to ensure that when a visitor walks through the gates of Kyalami, they aren’t just attending an event, they are entering a space where their passion is validated and their “motoring journey” memories are stored.”

“This is the one platform where the entire community gathers to create the stories that will define the next generation of our motoring legacy,” she notes.