The second edition of the Tsamaya Pre-Season Tour is on the horizon, once again offering a select group of fans the chance to travel with Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates in what has quickly become one of the most coveted supporter experiences in South African football.
2026 is already shaping up to be a relentless, football-soaked calendar. No sooner will the domestic season draw to a close than attention shifts to the global stage, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off almost immediately after.
For some supporters, though, there will be no such thing as an off-season.
As the dust settles locally after the World Cup, pre-season preparations will begin in earnest, and for fans of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, the months ahead promise more than just training-ground updates and friendly fixtures; they offer something far more immersive.
In recent years, both Soweto giants have subtly reimagined their pre-season blueprint, taking their preparations beyond South African borders and into the high-performance environments of Europe.
But beyond the tactical drills and fitness blocks, there’s a more compelling question: what if you weren’t just watching from afar? What if you were there—on the training ground, in the stands, inside the daily rhythm of your club?
That idea, once the stuff of daydreams, became reality.
Last year, for the first time, a select group of supporters traded living rooms for locker-room access, travelling alongside their teams to Europe.
They didn’t just follow the journey; they became part of it, experiencing the inner workings of their clubs in a way few fans ever have.
It’s an evolution that has done more than sharpen the competitive edge of both sides; it has redefined the relationship between club and supporter. And at the centre of it all was Vodacom, whose Tsamaya Pre-Season Tour turned a bold concept into a tangible, unforgettable experience, one that quite literally brought fans along for the ride.
Those who experienced it first-hand last year speak of it with a kind of awe. Kaizer Chiefs supporter Mpho Mamabolo, who travelled to the Netherlands, described it as a once-in-a-lifetime journey, an experience that redefined what it means to be a fan.
“You feel blessed to win such a competition with such a great club, and especially with a club that you’ve loved and followed your entire life,” Mamabolo recalls.
“It was a dream come true. It’s life-changing. To be in the camp, to experience the players, to go abroad and meet so many amazing people – you just come back, and your life is different.
“You understand football differently. You have a relationship with your team, and you appreciate fully what goes on behind the scenes at Kaizer Chiefs. I would do it ten times over again if I could.”
Meanwhile, Teboho Mokemane, who joined Orlando Pirates in Spain, was struck by the sheer professionalism and detail that went into every aspect of the trip.
“It was my first time overseas, and everything was on point,” Mokemane said about his trip to Spain.
“From the hospitality to seeing the coach put the players through their paces in training. I enjoyed myself so much.
“We had a fantastic group of winners, and we all enjoyed ourselves. Marbella was beautiful. I’d encourage any fan to please enter. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Now, the story continues.
This time, five supporters from each club will earn the opportunity to be part of the travelling contingent.
Entry into the competition is straightforward: fans need to purchase the R49 10GB data bundle, available exclusively via the VodaPay platform, which then unlocks access to the official entry page. From there, it’s a matter of hope, luck, and perhaps a touch of footballing fate.
For those who make it, the reward is extraordinary.
Winners will gain behind-the-scenes access to their clubs’ pre-season routines: attending training sessions, being present at matches, and, perhaps most memorably, meeting the players themselves. It’s a rare window into the inner workings of elite football preparation, where the foundations for a new campaign are quietly laid.
This year’s tour will once again carry the spirit of Mzansi onto European soil, blending the flair and rhythm of South African football with the intensity of overseas competition. It’s not just about preparation, it’s about identity, connection, and taking a piece of home across borders.
From a club perspective, the excitement is just as palpable. Jessica Motaung has already spoken of her anticipation for another memorable edition of the tour, sentiments echoed by Mpumi Khoza, who highlighted the importance of bringing supporters closer to the team.
“The first Vodacom Tsamaya Pre-Season Tour was a special experience for our team as, for the first time in our club’s history, we were able to bring a group of very lucky fans on our pre-season journey with us,” Motaung says.
“Vodacom has long been a very special partner on our journey as well, and we’re delighted that together we can once again share the passion for Kaizer Chiefs in such a unique and memorable way.”
“Our Chairman has always said there is a reason the Vodacom logo sits in the centre of our jersey, because it is right by our heart,” Khoza adds.
“Vodacom shares our heart for our fans, and Season 2 of the Vodacom Tsamaya Pre-Season Tour is going to be another wonderful opportunity to give our fans an experience like never before.”
Because in the end, that’s what this is really about.
Not just pre-season. Not just preparation. But connection, the kind that turns supporters into participants, and a football club into something that feels, unmistakably, like home.
