JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (XOL Africa) — South African gaming event rAge is partnering with esports and gaming company Mettlestate to transform the long-running expo into a broader festival celebrating gaming, esports, technology and digital culture, with the revamped event scheduled for Nov. 27-29 at Fourways Mall in Johannesburg.
Organizers said the strategic partnership marks the most significant evolution in the event’s 23-year history, expanding rAge beyond its traditional exhibition format to serve gamers, creators, esports competitors, technology enthusiasts, cosplay and anime fans, families and first-time visitors from across Africa.
The new festival format aims to position rAge as a continental destination for gaming culture while retaining its core attractions, including the Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC) LAN, esports competitions, cosplay, local game development showcases, tabletop gaming and technology exhibitions.
“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. rAge 2026 has been built around that culture.”
Organizers said the event will feature immersive attractions, creator-led programming, live entertainment, interactive experiences, community spaces and competitions designed to appeal to a wider audience while reflecting the rapid growth of gaming and digital entertainment across Africa.
© rAge
The festival will also debut a new visual identity and introduce a retrofuturism theme, blending nostalgic gaming aesthetics with emerging technologies and futuristic experiences to symbolize the event’s evolution.
“We’ve spent 23 years building one of South Africa’s most recognised gaming brands,” said Michael James, project director of rAge. “Now we are taking the biggest step in our history. 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.”
Mettlestate, known for its esports tournaments and gaming community initiatives, will bring its competitive gaming expertise to the festival as organizers seek to attract broader audiences and create new opportunities for content creators, brands and esports competitors.
According to organizers, visitors can expect expanded gaming experiences, larger creator platforms, immersive brand activations and entertainment tailored to multiple generations.
“rAge has always held a special place in South African gaming, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of its next chapter,” Louzada said.
“Every corner of the event has been designed to create moments worth sharing. And this November, a new era begins.”
James said the partnership signals a new direction for the event.
“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.
