CSA confirms New Year's Test is sold out but says more tickets are on the way

Cricket South Africa (CSA) can confirm that the New Year’s Test match between South Africa and England, scheduled to take place at Newlands Cricket Ground from 3-7 January, is currently sold out, with additional general access tickets scheduled to be released at a later stage.

A limited number of general access tickets were released for sale yesterday on CSA’s official ticketing website, with all available tickets purchased significantly quicker than anticipated.

As part of CSA’s strategic focus on sustaining and growing South African cricket, CSA, in partnership with Tourvest Destination Management, launched South Africa Cricket Travel in December 2025, aimed at bringing fans closer to the game.

Through this initiative, 12% of all general access tickets were allocated to international travel packages, while 27% were allocated to domestic travel packages. This aligns with CSA’s broader strategy to stimulate South African sports tourism both internationally and domestically through cricket.

The availability of additional general access tickets will be determined once final pitch allocation requirements have been confirmed. Further details will be communicated as soon as the tickets are released.

In a first-of-its-kind offering, General Hospitality packages will be made available through Newlands Stadium. These packages will afford cricket fans the opportunity to enjoy general ticket access combined with a premium hospitality experience.

CSA thanks fans for their support ahead of what promises to be an unforgettable atmosphere at Newlands in January 2027. The increase in demand for tickets bears testament to the sharp spike in interest for Test cricket post the Proteas Men crowning as ICC World Test Champions for 2025.

On Thursday CSA said that it acknowledges the frustration experienced by fans who were unable to secure tickets for the upcoming New Year’s Test.

Demand for this year’s New Year’s Test tickets has been unprecedented, highlighting the significance of the fixture within the South African sporting calendar, with the first release of tickets selling out in record time for a Test match in South Africa. 

CSA recognises that its communication around ticket availability did not provide the clarity supporters expected and apologise for the confusion this created. CSA would like to clarify the following:

• A further release of general access tickets, including the remaining public allocation and any unused tickets from reserved categories, will be made available once final pitch allocation requirements have been confirmed.

• The general access hospitality experience (a first-of-its-kind) will be sold at the Newlands Cricket Ground as soon as packages are released. These packages have been specially designed to afford fans general access to the match coupled with a hospitality experience.

• Through the South African Cricket Travel programme, the majority of package allocations were designed for domestic and local travellers.

• CSA maintains a strict prohibition on ticket scalping and unauthorised resale. Fans are urged not to buy tickets from unauthorised resellers to avoid being denied entry into the stadium.

CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said: “We remain committed to ensuring that ticket access is managed fairly, transparently and in a way that balances supporter demand with the operational requirements of hosting a major international sporting event.

“We equally value the loyal support fans have shown to the Proteas Men as the World Test Champions since their historic victory in June 2025, which all lies at the heart of the game.” 

Communication on the availability of the next batch of general access tickets, priced between R420 and R500 per ticket, will be shared timeously.

Proteas Men’s Home International Fixtures 2026/27

ODI Series against Australia

First ODI - Thursday, 24 September at 10am - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second ODI - Sunday, 27 September at 10am - DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Third ODI - Wednesday, 30 September at 1.30pm - JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Test Series against Australia

First Test - Friday, 9-Tuesday, 13 October at 9.30am - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second Test - Sunday, 18-Thursday, 22 October at 10am - Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third Test - Tuesday, 27-Saturday, 31 October at 10am - World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Test Series against Bangladesh

First Test - Sunday, 15-Thursday, 19 November at 10am - DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Second Test - Monday, 23-Friday, 27 November at 10am - SuperSport Park, Centurion

ODI Series against Bangladesh

First ODI - Tuesday, 1 December at 1.30pm - Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London

Second ODI - Friday, 4 December at 1.30pm - Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third ODI - Monday, 7 December at 1.30pm - World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

T20I Series against Bangladesh

First T20I - Thursday, 10 December at 6pm - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley

Second T20I - Saturday, 12 December at 2.30pm - Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Third T20I - Sunday, 13 December at 2.30pm - SuperSport Park, Centurion

Test Series against England

First Test - Thursday, 17-21 Monday, December at 10am - DP World Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Johannesburg

Second Test - Saturday, 26-Wednesday, 30 December at 10am - SuperSport Park, Centurion

Third Test - Sunday, 3-Thursday, 7 January at 10.30am - World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

ODI Series against England

First ODI - Sunday, 10 January at 10am - Boland Park, Paarl

Second ODI - Wednesday, 13 January at 1.30pm - Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein

Third ODI - Friday, 15 January at 10am - Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein