Following growing demands from opposition parties for greater transparency, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) presented a detailed report on expenditures amounting to R30,945,370.15, which were spent on South Africa's program related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the department's data, these funds covered various expense items, including official travel, legends match, hospitality suites, spectator tickets, and program activations associated with the tournament.
The official portion of expenses, concerning Minister Gethon Mackenzie, two support staff members, the CEO, and a 14-member project team, was estimated at R7,865,134.97. This amount included international flights, accommodation, local transport, subsistence, and operational support costs.
DSAC reported that it has not yet been possible to separate Mackenzie's personal expenses from the total costs of the entire project team, as items such as logistics, protocol, and security were purchased as a single package. The department is in the process of finalizing the breakdown of expenses per individual, which will include name, position, role, city visited, duration of stay, flight information, accommodation, transport, subsistence, and other details.
DSAC clarified that the World Cup program extended beyond government officials to include artists, cultural participants, football legends, media partners, sponsored fans, and project implementation teams. It was noted that not all participants traveled at the state's expense; some costs were covered by sponsorship or implementing partners.
The Democratic Alliance and ActionSA parties continue to demand a more detailed explanation of the spending from Mackenzie. DA stated its intention to submit additional parliamentary questions and seek the minister's appearance before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture. ActionSA questioned the economic viability of the expenditures, insisting on full ministerial openness regarding taxpayer spending on travel, accommodation, hospitality, and other benefits. The party also expressed concern that Mackenzie's personal expenses had not yet been separated from the overall delegation costs.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA are insisting on holding the Minister of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Gethon Mackenzie, accountable, demanding a full justification of the expenses related to the South African delegation for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which are estimated at approximately 31 million rand.
Both political blocs have demanded that Minister Gethon Mackenzie provide a detailed breakdown of the costs. This information was disclosed by Mackenzie in a parliamentary response, which, according to both parties, does not answer several questions regarding the structure of the delegation and the nature of the expenses.
DA states that it has repeatedly requested detailed information about the budget, composition, and cost of the delegation over the past two months. Previously, the minister provided only general information, and later stated that the delegation included 20 artists and 18 civil servants. Among the officials, preliminary estimates suggest the minister himself, two support staff members, the CEO, and a project team of 14 people, costing just under 8 million rand.
However, DA emphasized that the exact number and names of the delegation members remain unknown, and the department has not yet presented the final audited cost of the trip. The party also questioned the presented expenditure figures and the ambiguity surrounding the delegation's funding.
DA intends to submit further parliamentary queries to obtain the missing data and demand a date when all information will be available. Furthermore, they plan to demand Mackenzie's appearance before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to report on the expenditures.
ActionSA clarified that nearly 31 million rand covered international flights, accommodation, hospitality suites, match tickets, a friendly match, and other country promotion initiatives related to the tournament. While the party acknowledges the importance of promoting South Africa internationally, it questioned the economic viability of such spending given the lack of basic sports infrastructure in many communities and ongoing challenges with national team funding.
ActionSA also expressed concern over Mackenzie admitting that his personal expenses had not yet been separated from the overall delegation costs, which prevents the disclosure of his individual spending to taxpayers. The party insists on complete transparency regarding all taxpayer-funded expenses, including travel, accommodation, and hospitality, pointing to the need for increased oversight through its bill on reducing ministerial privileges.
In response to the queries, DSAC explained that the 'delegation' included officials, artists, cultural participants, legends, media partners, sponsored fans, and implementation teams. The department noted that some individuals traveled using DSAC funds, others using sponsors, and a third group via implementation partners, and that grouping them into one list would be misleading.
The department also specified that the approved program was a scaled-down support for the FIFA World Cup, focused on Aldea Global, Atlanta, Monterrey, fan engagement, cultural promotion, and events related to the 2010 Legends.
According to DSAC, the previously submitted report recorded total program expenses of 30,945,370.15 rand. These funds were allocated to official trips, a Legends friendly match, suites, spectator tickets, and program activations.
Official trips and associated costs for the minister, two support staff members, the CEO, and the project team were estimated at 7,865,134.97 rand. This amount included international flights, accommodation, local transport, per diems, and operational costs. The department explained that this figure is not yet detailed to separate the minister's individual expenses from the overall delegation costs because elements such as security, protocol, and logistics were purchased as a single block.
DSAC reported that the final reconciliation for each person is currently underway. This reconciliation should include, where applicable: full name, position, role, city, associated program, duration of stay, flight cost, accommodation, transport, per diem, visa, insurance, accreditation, match tickets, hospitality, and source of funding. The department stressed that it is trying to avoid assumptions where account reconciliations have not yet taken place, and that the final response must clearly separate state-funded participants from sponsor-funded participants and implementation partner personnel to present the information accurately.
The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture spent nearly 31 million rand on a program to support South Africa's participation in the FIFA World Cup. These funds were allocated to various aspects, including international fan events, official travel, and hospitality suites and match tickets.
The total amount of government investment, according to the department's latest expenditure reconciliation, amounted to R30,954,370. The program was designed to support South Africa's participation in the tournament while simultaneously promoting the country as a tourist destination, as well as its culture, creative industries, and investment opportunities to an international audience.
However, the department acknowledged that it cannot yet specify any particular investment agreement or trade deal concluded solely due to this program. It was stated that potential business contacts and investment opportunities gained through international activations are still being consolidated with program partners and will be included in the final report after verification.
The largest portion of the funding, amounting to R10 million, was allocated to public activations of South Africa in the cities of Mexico City, Atlanta, and Monterrey. These funds covered the conceptualization, design, construction, and operation of international exhibition venues, including branding, stage design, audiovisual production, venue setup, decorations, technical equipment, logistics, and subsequent infrastructure dismantling.
These activations took place over several days and weeks in different locations. They served as platforms for South African musicians and performers, chefs showcasing local cuisine, and exhibitors selling local art, craft, and cultural products. The department emphasized that these activations were a central part of its cultural diplomacy and national branding program, aimed at promoting South Africa as a destination for tourism and investment.
Expenditures on official travel and delegations totaled R7,865,134.97. This sum covered international and domestic flights, accommodation, ground transportation, daily allowances, travel insurance, and other operational costs associated with the department's program in the host cities. The official delegation included the minister, authorized executive staff, the CEO, departmental officials overseeing the management and implementation of the program, as well as staff responsible for logistics, communications, protocol, and operational coordination.
Travel expenses also included approved South African artists and cultural representatives participating in the cultural diplomacy and national branding program. Furthermore, an additional R6,706,925 was spent on the 'South Africa 2010 Legends' exhibition match and related heritage events. These funds covered the participation of former South African footballers in approved exhibition matches, as well as operational needs related to the football diplomacy and heritage program.
Hospitality suites in Atlanta and Monterrey cost taxpayers R3,361,845.18. According to the department, these facilities were used as official platforms for meetings between government representatives, sponsors, investors, strategic partners, international colleagues, football stakeholders, and invited guests. The purpose of these suites was to facilitate meetings, business networking, investment promotion, and the showcasing of South Africa's sporting, cultural, and tourism offerings.
An additional R3,011,465 was spent on 294 tickets for three matches attended by participants in Mexico City, Atlanta, and Monterrey. The tickets included Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 seats, which had different prices within the FIFA ticketing system.
The program was financed through approved departmental allocations for the development of sport, arts and culture, heritage, international relations, strategic partnership, and executive support. Private sponsors separately provided participation for 'Lucky Fans', journalists, podcasters, influencers, and other fan mobilization events, which helped reduce the burden on the state.
Artists and cultural representatives were selected based on the requirements of the cultural program, including their significance to the host city's audience, ability to present a compelling South African offering, availability, and compliance with technical, visa, and transport requirements. Journalists, podcasters, influencers, and content creators were considered as a separate media group and selected based on audience reach, credibility, and the ability to create real-time content about football and lifestyle. 'Lucky Fans' were selected separately through a public video competition and evaluation process.
The department explained that it intentionally separated reporting among officials, artists, media participants, sponsored fans, and implementing partner personnel to avoid a distorted view of how the program was funded and executed. Expected outcomes of the program included international media coverage, tourism inquiries, stakeholder introductions, cultural exchange, audience attendance, digital engagement, and meetings with football federations, sponsors, embassies, and potential investors. The department clarified that projected media coverage would not be counted as a return of funds to the treasury.
Instead, it would be assessed whether the program managed to ensure sustainable coverage, valuable business contacts, interest in tourism, formal partnerships, and subsequent opportunities. Partnerships were established or strengthened with Brand South Africa, Coca-Cola, HONOR, Betway, Cell C, Old School, The Sports Trust, the South African Football Association, and South African diplomatic missions. These organizations assisted with fan travel, media participation, fan park experience, communications, and program execution.
The department also noted that expenditures remain under the control of the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury regulations, National Treasury cost containment measures, and its own financial and procurement policies. Safeguard measures included prior budget approval, separate accounting of public and private expenditures, account verification, tracking of tickets and hospitality suites, and reconciliation of travel, accommodation, and program expenses. A consolidated report after the tournament will only be published after reconciling all accounts, travel claims, sponsor contributions, and implementing partner invoices. The department preferred to publish a report that withstands audit rather than presenting figures that might require correction.
During the match between England and Panama at the New York-New Jersey Stadium (known as MetLife Stadium for the World Cup), rain was observed, but the weather inside the VIP lounges was perfect.
The On Location group, which manages FIFA's official hospitality program for the 2026 tournament, has opened access to its second most prestigious level of VIP service. The starting price was $3,500 USD (approximately 57,000 Rands) per person. For the Round of 16 match at the same venue, the cost increases to $5,750 USD (about 93,400 Rands).
What does this level include? In addition to parking near the gates, which is highly valued during the World Cup, guests are provided with a welcome glass of champagne, a post-game gift voucher, and lounge access. In this lounge, dishes are prepared to individual order rather than served buffet-style. Instead of hot dogs, VIP guests can enjoy dishes such as beef fillet with truffle potato terrine, broccolini, and mushroom sauce, comparable to restaurant-level cuisine.
The menu is also adapted depending on the host city and participating teams. For example, after England's victory, they were served toasts with ham and cheese and shepherd's pie. The lounge also features a souvenir mini-shop, allowing guests to avoid long queues, although the selection of goods might have been limited during the break.
However, this is only the mid-tier. Higher up is the Pitchside Lounge, where prices significantly exceed the ticket cost. On Location and FIFA offer 'On the Pitch' spots for the final, available only in New York and Miami. These twelve luxurious cinema-style seats located right by the field cost $1 million USD (about 16.25 million Rands) each, which FIFA advertises as the most expensive spot in sports.
Reports indicate that the elite concierge firm Knightsbridge Circle sold a package of six front-row seats along the center line of the final for $4 million (65 million Rands), including pitch access during the trophy presentation ceremony, and this package was sold out. Recently, two additional pitch-side seats appeared at a price of $1.5 million (24.4 million Rands) each.
Although the Bafana Bafana team has already been eliminated from the World Cup, South African fans who traveled to North America faced the same price range. The cheapest official ticket for the final starts above $2,000 USD (about 32,500 Rands). The match-day hospitality package, which can be considered a 'budget' VIP option, will cost the equivalent of a decent used car back home.
