Twenty-One Brands, Sixty Pit Doors, and Unmissable Driving Experiences set the Stage for the 9th Edition of Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank
With just two months to go until the green light, the 9th edition of the Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank is gearing up for one of its most ambitious yet. Returning to the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 28–30 August 2026, the Festival will take over the entire circuit under the theme “Driven by purpose, defined by legacy”, bringing together leading automotive brands, live driving experiences, lifestyle partners, premium hospitality and family entertainment in one dynamic destination.
“The 2026 Festival of Motoring reflects the strength and confidence of South Africa’s automotive industry,” says Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa. “We have seen strong growth in attendance over the last few editions, reflecting strong consumer interest in live automotive experiences. We are presenting a powerful mix of leading manufacturers and new entrants; this year’s edition demonstrates the Festival’s value as a national platform for the sector. It is where brands connect directly with consumers, where partnerships come to life, and where the industry’s momentum is experienced in a truly dynamic environment.”
“As a leading mobility financier, WesBank is proud to return as naming sponsor of the 2026 Festival of Motoring, a premier platform that brings together the full spectrum of South Africa’s automotive ecosystem. Our long-standing connection to South African motorists, manufacturers and dealers uniquely positions us to support an event that not only showcases innovation and performance but also enables meaningful engagement across the industry. The festival represents more than an exhibition; it is a dynamic expression of the future of mobility, and WesBank is committed to helping power this premium experience for consumers, brands and partners alike,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.
The 2026 pit line-up features a dynamic mix of leading manufacturers, established favourites and exciting new entrants, including VW South Africa, Toyota South Africa, Jaecoo, Omoda, Icaur, GAC, Suzuki, BAIC, GWM, Haval, Tank, Ora, Chery, Lepas, BMW South Africa, Shelby, Mahindra, Geely, Dong Feng, Changan and LDV.
As Volkswagen Group Africa celebrates 75 years in South Africa, the brand is set to make a bold statement at the 9th edition of the Festival of Motoring at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Marking this significant milestone, Volkswagen will unveil the all-new Volkswagen T-Roc to the South African public for the very first time through the vibrant House of Roc experience, an immersive brand destination designed to capture the model’s spirit of individuality, confidence, innovation and contemporary style. At the heart of the House of Roc, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the all-new T-Roc up close alongside an exciting line-up that includes the Vivo Xpress, Tayron and Amarok Dark Label, while the iconic Golf GTI showcases its performance on the racetrack. The activation will also feature a host of interactive experiences, including a kids’ zone, temporary tattoo station, karaoke, live DJs, a Volkswagen Merchandise Store and engaging vehicle displays, creating an energetic festival atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
Festivalgoers will also be able to experience Volkswagen’s engineering excellence through complimentary test drives and exhilarating hot laps in the Golf GTI and Amarok Dark Label around the legendary Kyalami circuit. As Volkswagen looks to the future while celebrating 75 years of mobility in South Africa, the House of Roc promises to be a celebration of the brand’s heritage, innovation and performance, inviting visitors to discover Volkswagen’s latest products in an unforgettable festival experience.
BMW Group South Africa adds further momentum to an already powerful line-up, reinforcing the Festival of Motoring’s position as the industry’s most important experiential automotive platform. Synonymous with innovation, luxury, and driving excellence, BMW Group South Africa continues to set the benchmark for performance, design, and cutting-edge automotive technology. Visitors can look forward to experiencing BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad’s on-site showroom, located on the viewing deck of the main pit building, and will also have the opportunity to purchase BMW M driving experiences, available to book via Howler.
The Festival of Motoring remains the only event of its kind where visitors do not simply look at cars; they experience them. Across three experiential platforms, participating brands will offer complimentary driving experiences, including selected test drives and brand-led track experiences to general access ticket holders, giving visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the latest models, technologies, and brand innovations. In addition, visitors can purchase premium hot lap experiences through the ticketing portal, Howler.
For visitors looking to venture beyond the tarmac, the dedicated 4×4 Village returns as a major highlight. Purpose-built to showcase off-road capability, the 4×4 Village will give visitors a closer look at the performance, control and rugged strength of participating off-road vehicles.
For those seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush, the Festival’s experience partners will bring elite performance to the grid. Fans will be able to secure paid hot laps in highly tuned vehicles through partners including the BMW M Driving Experience, Simola Hillclimb, VW Driving Academy, AMG Mercedes Driving Academy and the BMW M Performance Parts Race Car Series.
Beyond the track, the event will be elevated by a suite of carefully curated lifestyle and service partnerships designed to enhance the visitor experience.
Cartrack makes its Festival of Motoring debut as the exclusive Car Tracking and Telematics Partner. As part of the premium hospitality experience, guests will be driven in high-performance vehicles powered by Cartrack.
Elevating the experience, Brand South Africa joins the 2026 Festival of Motoring as the Naming Rights Partner of the premium hospitality suite, located on the rooftop of the main pit building. Offering a premium vantage point over the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, the suite will provide guests with an exclusive environment to experience the energy of the Festival while enjoying elevated comfort, networking and hospitality.
To further enhance the premium visitor experience, the Festival has also created a dedicated family premium suite on the first floor of the main pit building. Designed for families attending with children, this separate suite ensures that premium hospitality remains accessible, comfortable and family-friendly for guests who want to enjoy the event together.
Puma Energy is the Exclusive Fuel and Lubricants Partner of the Festival of Motoring 2026, bringing to life the spirit of performance, innovation, heritage, and community. Visitors can experience the brand at the Mechanics Fort and enjoy spectacular aerial displays by the Puma Flying Lions, whose iconic American Harvard aircraft embody precision, reliability, and performance. In addition, Puma Energy will host the Puma Energy Family Zone, a supervised space for children aged five years and older, offering up to two hours of safe, engaging, and interactive activities. Open to all attendees, the initiative allows parents to fully enjoy the festival while reflecting Puma Energy’s commitment to energising communities and creating memorable shared experiences.
Santam strengthens its commitment to driving excellence as the Naming Rights Partner of the Handling Track, adding further depth to the Festival’s performance-focused experiences.
Visitors are covered by a streamlined solution that provides flexible, hassle-free access to the venue. Gautrain joins as the Shuttle Partner, offering visitors travelling by Gautrain complimentary rides to the venue in dedicated Gautrain buses. In addition, Avis joins as the park-and-ride shuttle partner, providing convenient shuttle services from the Mall of Africa to the venue.
“We are ready to deliver the motoring experience Johannesburg has been waiting for,” says Judy Maharaj, Show Director of the Festival of Motoring. “The Festival of Motoring is more than an event; it is a powerful industry platform where brands, consumers, partners and enthusiasts come together through real, meaningful experiences. It gives visitors the opportunity to feel the energy of motoring, engage with innovation first-hand and experience the vehicles, technologies and partnerships shaping the future of mobility.
From complimentary test drives on the race circuit and self-handling track to the 4×4 Village, premium lifestyle spaces and family-friendly experiences, the Festival offers a level of access and excitement that sets it apart on the continent. The 9th edition reflects the strength, relevance and momentum of South Africa’s automotive sector, while celebrating the passion, heritage and legacy that continue to drive it forward. This year, we are loud, proud, purposeful and ready for showtime.”
Tickets for the 9th edition of the Festival of Motoring are on sale. To secure general access, book exclusive paid hot lap experiences and premium hospitality tickets, visit https://festivalofmotoring.howler.co.za/events/festival-of-motoring-2026-1c0a
Early booking is recommended, as selected track experiences and hospitality options are limited and expected to be in high demand.
For corporate group bookings and show enquiries, contact Show Director: Judy Maharaj judy.maharaj@za.messefrankfurt.com
