Orlando Pirates Set For Opening Day Clash Against Milford
Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates are set to open their 2026/27 title defense against newly promoted Milford at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 1 August, at 15:00.
However, these fixtures are understood to be an unreleased provisional draft, as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has yet to officially unveil the final schedule.
An action-packed opening day continues later that afternoon when Mamelodi Sundowns host Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs will get their campaign underway at 20:00 under the guidance of their new head coach. Amakhosi face a tricky trip to the Mbombela Stadium to square off against another newly promoted side, Kruger United.
The provisional draft has thrown up several mouth-watering, high-profile fixtures early in the campaign. On Saturday, 15 August, Kaizer Chiefs will host Mamelodi Sundowns in a blockbuster afternoon clash at the FNB Stadium.
Furthermore, the iconic Soweto Derby has returned to its traditional spot in the first half of the season. The first-leg clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is scheduled to take place at the FNB Stadium on 31 October. This marks a structural shift from the past two seasons, where both legs of South Africa’s most historic football fixture were played late in the second half of the campaign.
Interestingly, heavyweight rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are only penciled in to face each other on 5 January 2027. However, this fixture remains highly tentative. The date falls directly within a reserved window for CAF club competitions, meaning the final scheduling will depend heavily on both sides’ progress in the CAF Champions League group stages.
Leaked Key Fixtures At A Glance
- 1 August (15:00): Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC — Orlando Stadium
- 1 August (Afternoon): Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants — Loftus Versfeld
- 1 August (20:00): Kruger United vs Kaizer Chiefs — Mbombela Stadium
- 15 August (Afternoon): Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns — FNB Stadium
- 31 October: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (Soweto Derby) — FNB Stadium
- 5 January 2027: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates — Venue TBC (Subject to CAF schedules)
