Johannesburg – The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced an extension of the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fan Competition following reports of technical difficulties during the initial entry period.
Originally scheduled to run from 29 April to today, Friday, 1 May 2026, the competition will now reopen from 08:00 on Saturday, 2 May, until 17:00 on Sunday, 3 May.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the extension was made to ensure fairness for all supporters.
“Although every effort has been made to ensure a smooth process and a very functional and usable website, with most people reporting an excellent experience, we would not like to let even the perception of a technical glitch stand between any passionate South African fan and the opportunity of a lifetime,” he explained.
He urged fans who struggled to upload their entries to try again during the extended window.
The competition offers 20 lucky winners a fully sponsored trip to Mexico City to watch Bafana Bafana face Mexico in their opening FIFA World Cup group-stage match on 11 June 2026.
The prize package includes return flights, three nights’ accommodation with meals, match tickets, and ground transfers. Sixteen spots are reserved for fans representing each Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, while four wildcard places are open to any supporter regardless of club affiliation.
Entries must consist of a 30-second video showcasing enthusiasm, passion, and fan energy.
Submissions are accepted in all 12 official South African languages and will be judged by a panel of eight experts.
Only one entry per person is allowed, and clips longer than 30 seconds will be disqualified.
To qualify, entrants must be South African citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older, with a valid passport extending at least six months beyond June 2026.
Minister McKenzie stressed that a valid passport is “non-negotiable,” as winners will need to begin their Mexican visa applications immediately.
Incorrect or missing passport details will result in disqualification.
While the prize covers international travel and accommodation, winners are responsible for domestic flights to the departure airport, visa fees, travel insurance, bank statements for visa purposes, and personal spending money.
The Mexican visa process requires a pre-assessment, with applicants advised to allow four to six weeks for completion.
Entries can be submitted via the official portal: https://dsacevents.dsac.gov.za/DSAC_LuckyFan_WC26/.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at 08:00 by Minister McKenzie and the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Entry enquiries may be directed to LuckyFans@dsac.gov.za
