Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: Soweto Derby Time and TV
The first Soweto Derby of 2026/27 kicks off at 15:30 SAST on Saturday at a sold-out FNB Stadium. Here is how to watch, how to get there, team news, the log and the head-to-head record.
- Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 15:30 SAST (13:30 GMT, 19:00 IST).
- It is live on SuperSport PSL (DStv channel 202), with SABC 1 and SABC Plus listed for free-to-air viewing.
- Before kick-off Pirates were second on 22 points and Chiefs fifth on 14; a Pirates win would put them top, at least until Sundowns play at 20:15.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs, the first Soweto Derby of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, kicks off on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 15:30 SAST (13:30 GMT, 19:00 IST) at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, with Pirates as the home side. It is live on SuperSport PSL (DStv channel 202), and SABC 1 is listed as the free-to-air channel. The stadium is sold out, and no tickets will be sold at the gates.
This match-day guide was written at about 08:15 SAST, seven hours before kick-off, so it does not include the score yet. It covers times worldwide, TV, transport, team news, the log, the head-to-head record and Thierry Henry's visit.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: kick-off time and venue
The PSL fixture list shows the derby at 15:30 at FNB Stadium. The ground is normally Chiefs' home, but ESPN notes that Pirates are the hosts this time. Kick-off in other time zones:
- South Africa (SAST/CAT): 15:30
- UK and Ireland (GMT) and UTC: 13:30
- Nigeria (WAT): 14:30
- Kenya (EAT): 16:30
- India (IST): 19:00
- US Eastern (EDT): 09:30
Gates open at 10:00, and the club's traffic advisory asks fans to arrive before 12:00. It is a league game, not a cup tie, so three points are at stake, as What's On G, the Gauteng Tourism Authority's events guide, points out.
How to watch the Soweto Derby on TV and online
Pirates say the match is live on SuperSport PSL, which ESPN lists as DStv channel 202. Goal and What's On G also list SABC 1, plus streaming on the DStv app and SABC Plus. What's On G says the pre-match build-up starts at 14:30.
- Pay TV: SuperSport PSL, DStv channel 202
- Free-to-air: SABC 1
- Streaming: DStv app (DStv Stream) and SABC Plus
We could not find an international TV listing from the PSL or SuperSport, so viewers abroad should check local sports listings.
Tickets and getting to FNB Stadium
Pirates put tickets on sale through MyTicket on October 14, with prices from R140 for adults and R50 for children, more with return transport included. The match sold out days in advance, and the club warns that transport-only tickets do not include stadium entry.
A vehicle exclusion zone applies around the stadium from 10:00, and Soweto Highway between Mentz Street and the N1 North on-ramp is reserved for Rea Vaya and Gautrain buses. A match ticket alone will not get a car through the checkpoints: drivers also need a parking ticket, such as general parking at the Johannesburg Expo Centre for R80.
IOL reports that the combined match ticket and Gautrain bus package has sold out, with buses between Park Station and the stadium from 10:00 to 19:00; the club's advisory gives 09:00 to 19:30. Gautrain's last train from Sandton Station leaves at midnight on Saturday instead of 20:30, though not on the Airport Line. Rea Vaya runs return services from Ellis Park, Library Gardens, Thokoza Park and Dobsonville at R60 per person, the club says.
Team news
Orlando Pirates
Kamogelo Sebelebele, who scored Pirates' equaliser in April's 1-1 derby, is out with a knock, according to ESPN and Goal. AfricaSoccer says he was hurt in the MTN8 final and suggests Bulelani Sigomoshe could replace him at right-back. Goal also lists Sihle Nduli and Andre de Jong as unavailable.
ESPN and Goal say Mohau Nkota, Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha are working back to full fitness after injuries.
Kaizer Chiefs
Chiefs have no suspensions. Defenders Inacio Miguel and Thabo Moloisane were both one booking from a ban, so Miguel sat out Tuesday's cup tie and Moloisane was taken off late, AfricaSoccer reports. Both are available.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and centre-back Rushwin Dortley returned from injury against TS Galaxy, ESPN says; Dortley had been out for about 18 months. Goal lists Renaldo Leaner, Thabiso Monyane and Siphesihle Ndlovu as injured. Official line-ups had not been published as of 08:15 SAST.
Form and the Betway Premiership log
This is how the PSL log stood on the morning of October 31, 2026, after Friday's game and before Saturday's matches:
- Mamelodi Sundowns: 23 points from 9 games
- Orlando Pirates: 22 points from 8
- AmaZulu: 19 points from 8
- Milford FC: 15 points from 9
- Kaizer Chiefs: 14 points from 8
Pirates, the reigning champions, are unbeaten with seven wins and a draw, and ESPN's table shows them with 19 league goals scored and one conceded. They have won four in a row in all competitions since losing the MTN8 final to Sundowns, scoring 11 without reply, ESPN reports. On Tuesday they beat Milford 3-0 through Thapelo Mokobodi and a Tshepang Moremi double; the PSL's report says his second was his seventh goal of the campaign.
Chiefs are also unbeaten in the league, but five of their eight games have been draws, and Pirates' preview notes they have not won a league game since matchday five. They went out of the CAF Confederation Cup on penalties to Zambia's Red Arrows, before Wandile Duba's hat-trick beat TS Galaxy 3-0 in the Carling Knockout.
A Pirates win would lift them to 25 points and top of the log. SuperSport says even a draw would put them top: they would be level with Sundowns on 23, and ESPN's table shows Pirates' goal difference (+18) ahead of Sundowns' (+15). Sundowns play Durban City at 20:15 SAST, though, so any lead could be short-lived. A Chiefs win would take them to 17 points.
Soweto Derby head-to-head record
All-time counts differ between sources. Kaizer Chiefs' derby preview of October 30, 2026, counts 185 official meetings since 1970, abandoned games included, with 75 Chiefs wins, 50 Pirates wins and 55 draws. In the league alone it lists 110 meetings: 45 Chiefs wins, 28 Pirates wins and 37 draws. Wikipedia gives different totals.
Recent results favour Pirates. They won 3-0 away at Chiefs in February 2026, and April's 1-1 draw ended their run of five straight league derby wins, Chiefs' figures show. Chiefs' last league derby win was 1-0 at home in February 2023, although they beat Pirates 2-1 in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final, as ESPN and Wikipedia note.
Every one of the last 17 league meetings has produced at least one goal, and the last 0-0 was in October 2017, Chiefs say. Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is unbeaten in derbies, with one win and one draw, AfricaSoccer notes; this is Fernando da Cruz's first as Chiefs coach.
What the coaches said
Ouaddou accepted the favourites tag. "We have to accept this position as favourites, as champions," he said, according to the Pirates website. He also warned: "To be favourite doesn't mean you will win."
Da Cruz, who took over before the season, spoke at Thursday's press conference at the SuperSport studios in Randburg. "We are confident but we know it's a difficult game against a big team," he said, as quoted by Pirates. AfricaSoccer reports that he also called it one of the biggest games on the continent.
Thierry Henry at the Soweto Derby
Former France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will be at FNB Stadium. The PSL announced on October 29 that Betway, the league's title sponsor, is bringing Henry, one of its brand ambassadors, to watch among supporters. Goal reports that the visit is part of the league's 30th-anniversary celebrations and that Henry will hand over a prize in a sponsor-run fan competition. "I'm excited to experience that atmosphere at FNB Stadium," Henry said in the PSL's statement.
What to watch for and what comes next
- Pirates' defence: one league goal conceded in eight games, up against Duba, who scored a hat-trick on Tuesday.
- The title race: Sundowns' 20:15 game against Durban City could decide who leads the log overnight.
After this weekend the league pauses. SuperSport says the midweek round was postponed because of the local government elections, and the November international break follows. Next come the Carling Knockout quarter-finals: Chiefs host Siwelele on the weekend of November 7 and 8, the club says, and Pirates face Sekhukhune United. Our Carling Knockout 2026 guide has the full draw. Wikipedia lists the return league derby, with Chiefs at home, for March 2027.
For the score, follow SuperSport, the PSL website and both clubs' official channels. We will update this post with the result after the final whistle.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs today?
The Soweto Derby kicks off at 15:30 SAST on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. That is 13:30 GMT, 14:30 WAT, 19:00 IST and 09:30 US Eastern time. Gates open at 10:00, and Pirates ask fans to arrive before 12:00.
What channel is the Soweto Derby on?
Orlando Pirates say the match is live on SuperSport PSL, which is DStv channel 202. Goal and the Gauteng Tourism Authority's What's On G guide also list SABC 1 free-to-air, with streaming on the DStv app and SABC Plus.
Can I still buy Soweto Derby tickets?
No. The match sold out days in advance, and Orlando Pirates say no tickets will be sold at the stadium. The club also warns that transport-only tickets do not include entry, so fans without a match ticket should watch on TV.
Who has won more Soweto Derbies?
Kaizer Chiefs, on their own count: 75 wins to Pirates' 50, with 55 draws, in 185 official meetings since 1970, abandoned games included. Other sources give different totals. Pirates have the better recent record, with five straight league derby wins before April's 1-1 draw.
Why is Thierry Henry at the Soweto Derby?
Betway, the league's title sponsor, is bringing Henry to FNB Stadium as one of its brand ambassadors, the PSL announced on October 29, 2026. Goal reports that the visit is part of the PSL's 30th-anniversary celebrations and that he will present a prize in a fan competition.
Sources
- Betway Premiership fixtures and log, Premier Soccer League
- Betway brings football legend Thierry Henry to the Soweto Derby, Premier Soccer League
- Pirates punish Milford in Carling Knockout, Premier Soccer League
- Betway Premiership Preview: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates FC
- Soweto Derby Traffic Advisory, Orlando Pirates FC
- Soweto Derby Tickets Now on Sale, Orlando Pirates FC
- Rivalry renewed as Chiefs get ready for Derby, Kaizer Chiefs
- Chiefs to face Siwelele in Carling quarterfinals, Kaizer Chiefs
- Soweto derby headlines weekend Betway Premiership action, SuperSport
- Orlando Pirates vs. Kaizer Chiefs - Kick-off time, how to watch, team news for the Soweto derby, ESPN
- South African Premiership Table 2026-27, ESPN
- Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs Preview: How to watch, kick-off, venue, squad news, current form, Goal
- Arsenal legend Thierry Henry confirmed for Soweto Derby, Goal
- Kaizer Chiefs clear of suspension concerns before Soweto Derby, AfricaSoccer
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz confident ahead of first Soweto derby, AfricaSoccer
- Orlando Pirates face Kamogelo Sebelebele injury blow ahead of Kaizer Chiefs Soweto Derby, AfricaSoccer
- Soweto Derby: Gautrain buses to run between Park Station and FNB Stadium, IOL
- Soweto Derby 2026: Pirates vs Chiefs Kick Off Time, Where to Watch and League Standings, What's On G (Gauteng Tourism Authority)
- Soweto derby, Wikipedia
How we wrote this
GessyMorgan explainers are built from public reporting and official sources. This post draws on the 19 sources listed above, each linked where we use it. It was drafted with AI assistance and checked against those sources before publishing. We did not test products, attend events or interview anyone for this article. Facts are current as of October 31, 2026, and we update the post when they change.
