South Africa’s premier netball competition, the Telkom Netball League returns for the 2026 season with the country’s top provincial teams and rising stars, alongside international invitational teams, taking to the court in a competition that continues to shape the future of South African netball from Friday, 24 April 2026.
The 2026 season will feature Power Week One at the Steve Biko Campus of the Durban University of Technology in Berea, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal until 2 May; Power Week Two will take place in Johannesburg at Ellis Park from 22 to 31 May; before the final week of the tournament takes place from 12 to 15 June.
This year’s competition will once again feature the best provincial teams from across South Africa, alongside international invitational teams, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, adding an exciting global dimension to the competition.
Now firmly established as the country’s leading netball competition, the Telkom Netball League continues to play a critical role in the growth of the sport, providing a platform for players to progress to the national team, the Spar Proteas, while inspiring the next generation of netball talent across South Africa.
Mami Diale, Netball South Africa President, said: “The Telkom Netball League continues to be the heartbeat of netball in South Africa. Every year, this league showcases the incredible depth of talent that exists across the country and plays a vital role in building the pipeline for the Spar Proteas.”
“The 2026 season is particularly exciting as we once again bring together the best players in the country, while also welcoming Malawi’s Under 21 side and Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Eagles, who also participated last year.”
“We would like to thank Telkom for their continued support and commitment to the growth of netball in South Africa. We look forward to a highly competitive season and to seeing new stars rise through the ranks.”
Netball South Africa President, Mami Diale
“This season is particularly important for netball in this country, and we are invested in upskilling our people off court as well. It is important that we empower our people in every area we host netball games and tournaments.”
As a long-term partner of South African netball, Telkom’s involvement in the league forms part of a broader commitment to growing the game at every level, from grassroots development to the national stage.
The 2026 season also forms part of Telkom’s Stand Tall: From First Pass to Crown initiative, a platform that celebrates the full journey of netball in South Africa, from young players discovering the game for the first time, to league players competing on the national stage, to Proteas representing the country internationally.
“The Telkom Netball League represents the very best of South African netball,” says Gugu Mthembu, “And we are proud to support not just the league, but the full journey of the sport, from young girls picking up a ball for the first time, to players competing in the TNL, to those who go on to represent South Africa on the international stage.
“Through Stand Tall: From First Pass to Crown, we want to ensure that the players, coaches, and communities who build netball in this country are seen, recognised and celebrated. The TNL remains one of the most important platforms in making those journeys possible.”
Telkom Chief Marketing Officer, Gugu Mthembu
With the new season set to begin, fans across the country can once again look forward to world-class netball, fierce provincial rivalries, and the opportunity to witness the future stars of South African netball in action.
The Telkom Netball League remains more than a competition; it is a platform for opportunity, a pathway to the national team, and a celebration of the talent and dedication that continues to grow netball in South Africa.
The Telkom Netball League 2026 Season from 24 April to 15 June 2026
24 April – 2 May: Power Week One at the Durban University of Technology, Durban
22 May – 31 May: Power Week Two at Ellis Park Arena, Johannesburg~
12 June – 15 June: Final Week (Venue TBC)
Original Copy: BLD Communications for Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: 2025 defending champions Golden Fireballs will be back in action with the nation’s best as the Telkom Netball League 2026 season brings together the country’s finest netball talent, providing a platform for provincial stars to showcase their skills and progress towards the Spar Proteas, starting at the Steve Biko Campus of the Durban University of Technology in Berea, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 24 April, 2026. Photo: Netball South Africa
