What PFL Africa 2 Means for Joburg Tourism and Small Businesses

Rethabile Nyelele5 August , 2025

Scheduled for 9 August 2025 at the Big Top Arena in Johannesburg, PFL Africa 2 represents a milestone moment: it is the first time the Professional Fighters League Africa returns to Johannesburg, following its inaugural event in Cape Town. By hosting the quarter-finals of the tournament in welterweight and featherweight divisions, the city joins the continental stage of mixed martial arts.

That global attention aligns perfectly with the Gauteng Tourism Authority’s strategy to foreground the province as Africa’s top destination for sports-driven tourism.

Tourism Gains: International Fans and Extended Stays

Sporting events are a powerful tourism draw in our country. As research shows, sports tourism contributes more than R50 billion annually to the South African economy, fostering investment, creating jobs, and boosting local businesses in the accommodation, transport, and retail sectors. Gauteng, specifically, attracts nearly half of all international arrivals, with visitors staying an average of 13.7 nights, longer than in any other province except Eastern Cape.

PFL Africa 2 is expected to attract continental and global MMA fans, drawing both domestic and international visitors to Johannesburg. That spells increased bed-night bookings, airport spending, and extended stays that support ancillary tourism sectors throughout the province.

Small-Business Boost: Local Enterprises in the Spotlight

Events like PFL Africa 2 deliver excellent platforms for SMMEs to shine. Past events supported by Joburg Tourism – such as the Music & Lifestyle Expo – facilitated market access for dozens of micro and small enterprises, creating jobs and showcasing homegrown food, crafts, apparel and more.

At PFL Africa 2, vendors in and around the venue—whether selling merchandise, fast food, or cultural crafts—stand to benefit from the surge in foot traffic. Meanwhile, local service providers (catering, security, transport, audio-visual technicians) also stand to gain valuable contracts and revenue streams.

Spotlight on Gauteng’s Sports Tourism Strategy

Hosting high-profile events like PFL Africa 2 fits neatly within Gauteng Tourism’s major push to mainstream sports and events tourism into its marketing mix. This aligns with recent campaigns such as the #SportingGP and #MusicalGP themed tourism routes, which leverage Johannesburg’s stadiums, township music scenes, and iconic cultural assets to attract audiences from around the world.

Coupled with the province’s existing reputation for hosting global-scale events, including the CAF Champions League, Joy of Jazz, and Comic Con Africa, PFL Africa 2 reinforces Joburg’s image as Africa’s “Home of Champions”.

Economic Ripple Effects: From Hotels to Taxis

Strong sporting events have a multiplier effect on the local economy. For example, over a short season, Gauteng’s packed calendar injected R2.1 billion into the local economy and led to nearly half a million attendees across multiple events. Similarly, Cape Town’s International Jazz Festival generates nearly R30 million in direct visitor spending per year, supporting thousands of jobs across hospitality, logistics, retail and creative sectors.

While PFL Africa 2 is on a different scale, it engages a diverse cross-section of businesses—from hotels, bars and restaurants to ride-hail/taxi services, event vendors, and local tourism operators offering guided experiences in Soweto, Maboneng or Constitution Hill.

A Platform for Inclusive Growth and Transformation

Importantly, Gauteng Tourism is purpose-driven in its event partnerships. It consistently aims to uplift previously disadvantaged communities and ensure inclusive economic participation. Examples include empowering former sports figures as tour guides, promoting township-based business operators in specially curated tourism routes, and integrating local cultural value chains into events tourism planning.

PFL Africa 2 offers yet another opportunity for Joburg to integrate sport and culture, giving local entrepreneurs and SMEs access to new revenue streams and international exposure.

Pass the Lantern: Fight Night Lights Up Joburg

With anticipation building around the August fight card, the PFL Africa 2 event isn’t just another sporting contest: it’s a cultural and economic moment for the city. It shines a light on Johannesburg’s strengths as a global events host while inviting international eyeballs to invest time, money and emotion in exploring the city. For local entrepreneurs and small businesses, it creates fertile ground to grow their brand and participate in South Africa’s evolving sports-tourism story.

This is more than fights in a cage. It is Joburg’s moment under the global spotlight, a chance to roar and to bank on the long-term payoff of sports tourism.