A major blow has hit Cape Town football — for the first time in years, the Mother City and the wider Western Cape will be without a team in the Betway Premiership next season.
Cape Town City FC’s 1-0 loss to Orbit College on Wednesday at Olympia Park Stadium sealed their relegation fate, confirming their drop to the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the 2025/26 season.
EMPTY STADIUM, UNCERTAIN FUTURE
This dramatic turn of events means that Cape Town Stadium — one of the iconic venues from the 2010 FIFA World Cup — will likely sit empty throughout the upcoming top-flight season. A stadium once buzzing with big matches and passionate fans is now facing silence.
The Citizens managed just seven wins and 15 losses in 28 matches, finishing second from bottom with the lowest goal tally in the league — only 15 scored and 31 conceded. Their struggles in front of goal ultimately cost them their spot in the Premiership.
GAYTON MCKENZIE’S STANCE UNDER SPOTLIGHT
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie recently made headlines for opposing the City of Cape Town’s plans to develop part of Athlone Stadium’s parking lot into a mixed-use space.
His strong words — “We will never allow this, never ever” — raised eyebrows, especially as he hinted at plans to bring “big matches” to Athlone without specifying the sport or concrete events. With Cape Town City now relegated, one wonders whether McKenzie will turn his attention to Cape Town Stadium, or if new strategies will emerge to prevent a top-tier football vacuum in the Western Cape.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Unless Cape Town City FC can pull off a financial move to buy their way back — not uncommon in South African football — they face a tough road ahead in the MFC. They’ll now be watching as Durban City takes Royal AM’s spot in the Premiership, while Orbit College celebrates promotion at their expense.
Promotion/Relegation Roundup:
- 11 June: Casric Stars 0-0 Orbit College
- 14 June: Cape Town City FC 0-0 Casric Stars
- 18 June: Orbit College 1-1 Cape Town City FC
- 21 June: Orbit College 1-0 Casric Stars
- 25 June: Orbit College 1-0 Cape Town City FC
- 30 June: Cape Town City FC vs Casric Stars (15:00)
