By Advent Shoko
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – South Africa’s long-running rAge gaming expo is getting a major makeover, with organisers teaming up with gaming and entertainment company Mettlestate to turn the event into a bigger celebration of gaming, esports, creators and digital culture.
The rAge gaming expo festival 2026 edition will run from 27 to 29 November at Fourways Mall in Johannesburg, marking what organisers describe as the biggest evolution in the event’s more than two-decade history.
Founded in 2002, rAge has grown into one of South Africa’s best-known gaming events, attracting players, developers, technology enthusiasts, creators and fans.
But this year, organisers want to go beyond the traditional gaming expo.
From gaming expo to festival
The revamped rAge will combine gaming with esports, technology, cosplay, anime, live entertainment, creator content and community experiences, opening the event to a much wider audience.
Families, casual gamers, professional competitors, creators and first-time visitors will all be targeted as organisers seek to reflect how gaming culture has expanded beyond simply playing games.
“This isn’t simply another edition of rAge; it is a bold reinvention of what a gaming event can be,” said Barry Louzada, managing director of Mettlestate.
“While gaming remains the beating heart of rAge, every part of the experience has been reimagined to reflect how gaming culture has evolved. Today’s gamers don’t just play games. They also watch esports, follow creators, build communities, embrace technology, celebrate cosplay, create content and experience gaming as a culture that extends far beyond the screen.”
Louzada said the new format was designed around that broader culture.
“rAge 2026 has been built around that culture,” he said.
Gaming remains at the centre
Despite the expansion, organisers say gaming will remain the main attraction.
The event will retain some of the features that have helped build rAge’s reputation, including the iconic BYOC LAN, esports competitions, cosplay, local game development, tabletop gaming, technology showcases, gaming gear and special offers.
The festival will also introduce a retrofuturism theme, blending nostalgia from gaming’s past with futuristic technology and digital experiences.
Organisers say the concept is intended to celebrate rAge’s long history while positioning the event for the future of gaming and digital entertainment.
Michael James, rAge project director, said the partnership with Mettlestate represented a major step for the brand.
“We’ve spent 23 years building one of South Africa’s most recognised gaming brands. Now we are taking the biggest step in our history,” James said.
“Together with Mettlestate, we’re creating something that extends far beyond an expo. We’re building a festival that celebrates every part of gaming culture, and what comes next will take it to another level.”
Bigger platform for African creators and esports
The organisers say the new festival format will give creators more opportunities to build their communities, while esports will be presented to a broader audience.
Visitors will also encounter immersive brand activations, interactive attractions, live entertainment and spaces designed around different gaming and digital communities.
The move comes as gaming continues to grow into a major part of youth culture and digital entertainment across Africa, creating opportunities for local developers, esports competitors, streamers, content creators and technology companies.
Mettlestate, which was founded in 2016, describes itself as a gaming media and entertainment company focused on building and monetising gaming communities across Africa. The company has delivered more than 150 campaigns and owns properties including Varsity Esports and Kasi Flare.
Louzada said the partnership was aimed at taking rAge into a new era.
“rAge has always held a special place in South African gaming, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of its next chapter,” he said.
“Every corner of the event has been designed to create moments worth sharing. And this November, a new era begins.”
What visitors can expect at rAge 2026
The festival is expected to feature:
- Gaming and esports competitions
- The iconic BYOC LAN
- Cosplay and anime experiences
- Local game development showcases
- Tabletop gaming
- Technology exhibitions
- Creator-led experiences and content
- Live entertainment
- Interactive brand activations
- Gaming gear and show specials
James said the event had outgrown its traditional identity.
“rAge is no longer simply an expo. With Mettlestate in co-op mode, it is becoming South Africa’s premier gaming, esports, technology and digital culture festival that has the same legendary DNA with a bigger map and a premium new ally,” he said.
When and where is rAge 2026?
- Event: rAge 2026
- Dates: 27–29 November 2026
- Venue: Fourways Mall, Level 8
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Ticket information, the programme and partner announcements are expected to be released ahead of the event.
After 23 years of building a loyal gaming community, rAge is betting that its next chapter lies in becoming more than a place where gamers gather.
In 2026, the ambition is clear: turn gaming culture itself into the main event.
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