NEW DELHI: Five years after the first ball was bowled at a sold-out Newlands, SA20 has established itself as one of the leading franchise cricket competitions, with more than 1.6 million tickets sold, over 500 million television viewers and a social media following that has grown to four million.

As the league prepares for its fifth season, which begins on January 17, 2027, SA20 stakeholders, partners and franchises gathered to celebrate the competition’s journey and look ahead to another month of high-profile T20 cricket across South Africa.

SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith described reaching the five-year milestone as a significant achievement, while stressing that the league’s growth has been a collective effort involving franchises, players, partners and fans.

“Reaching five years is a significant milestone for SA20, but it’s not one we’ve reached alone,” Smith said. “As we head into Season 5, we carry that same belief with us, and we can’t wait to keep building on it together.”

The first four editions have produced two champions. Sunrisers Eastern Cape have dominated the competition, winning three titles in 2023, 2024 and 2026. MI Cape Town claimed their maiden championship in 2025 after defeating Sunrisers in the final.

The fifth season will once again feature several of South Africa’s leading players, including David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi and Ryan Rickelton. They will be joined by a strong international contingent featuring Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan, Phil Salt and Mitchell Marsh.

Smith believes the combination of established international stars, Proteas players and emerging South African talent has been central to the league’s success.

“The combination of international stars, Proteas players and South Africa’s emerging talent has been one of the defining features of SA20,” he said.

The Season 5 squad lists will be completed at the Player Auction in Johannesburg on October 7. Nineteen player slots remain available, with a maximum of $2.10 million to be spent among the four teams participating in the auction. Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads and will not take part.

The new season will begin at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on January 17, with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape hosting Pretoria Capitals in a repeat of last season’s final.

Smith said SA20 would continue to focus on innovation and enhancing the spectator experience as it enters its fifth year.

“As we enter our fifth season, we are excited to continue building on the legacy and introducing new innovations that will deliver memorable spectator experiences,” he said.

Tickets for Season 5 will go on sale on November 5.