Comrades, The FIFA World Cup and KZN’s Winter Tourism Surge

As South Africa and the world embrace a period of heightened sporting excitement, KwaZulu-Natal is preparing to welcome thousands of athletes, supporters and visitors for the 2026 Comrades Marathon – one of the world’s most iconic endurance events.

With approximately 24 000 runners expected to participate, including around 2 500 international runners from more than 80 countries, the Comrades Marathon on June 14 remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most significant sports tourism assets and economic drivers.

The event comes at a time when global attention is firmly focused on sport, with the FIFA World Cup capturing audiences worldwide and major sporting codes driving travel and tourism activity across South Africa.

As one of the Official Destination Partners of the Comrades Marathon, the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority is leveraging the event as part of its broader winter tourism campaign, “Wozobona, It’s Showtime!“, which positions KwaZulu-Natal as South Africa’s premier destination for sport, culture, entertainment and leisure.

Members of the media are invited to engage with Reverend Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Dr Nkosenye G. Zulu, Head of Department: Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs on a range of issues including:

  • The economic impact of the Comrades Marathon on KwaZulu-Natal;
  • Sports tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation;
  • Leveraging major events to attract domestic and international visitors;
  • KwaZulu-Natal’s winter tourism outlook and events calendar;
  • The role of sport in destination marketing and investment attraction;
  • Positioning KwaZulu-Natal as South Africa’s leading events destination.

Potential interview angles include:

  • Why sport remains one of the most powerful drivers of tourism growth;
  • How KwaZulu-Natal is leveraging the Comrades Marathon to attract future visitors;
  • The contribution of major events to tourism recovery and economic development;
  • The growing importance of sports tourism in South Africa’s visitor economy;
  • Why KwaZulu-Natal continues to host some of Africa’s most significant sporting and lifestyle events.

About KZN Tourism and Film Authority
It is a new entity merging KZN Film and Tourism KZN. Its main goals are to promote and market the tourist and audio-visual sectors, facilitate sector development, provide sustainable growth and job opportunities, and address historical infrastructural, skills, and resource inequalities.

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