RB Leipzig Continues International Expansion With 2026 South Africa Tour.

Roger Hampel

Image: RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig has confirmed plans for its first-ever post-season tour to South Africa, continuing the Bundesliga club’s strategy of expanding its international presence through targeted global tours and fan engagement initiatives.

The trip, titled “RE KAOFELA” – meaning “all together” – will take place from 26 to 30 May 2026, with Johannesburg serving as the team’s base during the visit. The tour represents another step in RB Leipzig’s internationalisation strategy following previous post-season trips to the United States in 2024 and Brazil in 2025.

Friendly Against Mamelodi Sundowns Scheduled in Pretoria RB Leipzig

The sporting centerpiece of the tour will be a friendly match against Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the most successful clubs in South African football and participants in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The game will be played on 29 May 2026 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time. The match will be broadcast live on SABC 3, the Bundesliga’s local media partner. Beyond the fixture itself, the tour is designed to serve as a platform for broader sporting and commercial engagement between German and South African football ecosystems.

International Tours as a Tool for Global Market Development

RB Leipzig has increasingly used post-season tours as part of a wider international strategy aimed at building brand recognition, strengthening fan communities and expanding the club’s presence in emerging football markets. Previous tours (USA 2024 and Brazil 2025) included matches, youth development activities, coaching workshops, school visits and fan events designed to create connections with local football communities.

The South Africa trip will follow a similar structure, combining football activities with regional activations involving club partners including Red Bull, PUMA and Tudor.

Executive Comment

Johann Plenge, Managing Director (CBO) of RB Leipzig, said the tour reflects the club’s ambition to build stronger connections with global football audiences.

“South Africa is a particularly exciting football market and a culturally impressive destination for RB Leipzig and the Bundesliga. The passion with which football is lived here fits perfectly with our goal of inspiring people around the world with our style of play.”

Plenge added that the tour will also help deepen relationships with local communities and commercial partners.

“Together with Red Bull, PUMA, Tudor and the Bundesliga, we aim to further strengthen our global footprint and gain deeper insights into a new football market.”