Curro Halala Cup 2026 Introduces Elite U.19 Girls’ Tournament
South Africa’s premier school football tournament expands with inaugural girls’ division.
Curro is proud to announce the 2026 edition of the Curro Halala Cup, an exciting national school football competition that brings together top talent from across South Africa. Building on the success of its 2025 debut, the tournament now introduces an invitational under-19 girls’ division, cementing its position as the country’s leading platform for school football excellence.
While established by Curro, the tournament is open to top-performing schools nationwide, creating an innovative platform for the nation’s most talented young footballers.
Elevating girls’ football to a national stage
Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager: Curro Sport, explains the significance of this expansion: “In just its second year, the Halala Cup has already established itself as the top school football event in the country. The introduction of the under-19 girls’ division represents our commitment to creating equal opportunities in competitive sport and showcasing female football talent at the highest level.”
The tournament reflects Curro’s position as a quality independent education provider that recognises sport as integral to developing well-rounded individuals. “Providing young women with access to leading, structured football competition builds confidence, leadership, and resilience,” says Van der Merwe. “This is about creating a national platform where female footballers can compete, be recognised, and reach their full potential.”
U.19 girls’ elite invitational – tournament structure
The inaugural girls’ tournament will feature 16 of South Africa’s top school teams, selected by invitation to ensure the highest calibre of competition. Teams will compete in a round-robin format before advancing to the playoffs at the grand finale weekend.
Tournament details:
- Dates: 14 to 16 August 2026
- Venue: HeronBridge College, Johannesburg
- Format: Round-robin group stage followed by knockout playoffs
- Teams: 16 elite invitational schools from across South Africa
“This isn’t simply about participation – it’s about excellence,” emphasises Van der Merwe. “We’re bringing together the country’s best young female footballers to compete on a national stage, providing them with the recognition and opportunities their talent deserves.”
Boys’ tournament returns with proven format
The boys’ division maintains the competitive structure that made 2025 successful, featuring:
- 16 qualifying teams from regional tournaments
- 4 Curro-selected wild-card entries
- Automatic qualification for the top four finalists of 2025
- At the Grand Finale, 24 teams will go head-to-head for the top spot
Boys’ tournament timeline:
- Regional qualifiers: 17 to 19 April 2026 (various host schools)
- Round-robin and playoffs: 23 May 2026
- Grand Finale: HeronBridge College
A platform for sporting excellence and development
The Halala Cup distinguishes itself through its commitment to both competitive excellence and holistic athlete development. Beyond identifying top football talent, the tournament cultivates essential attributes – teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership – that define sporting champions.
“Football at this level demands more than technical skill,” notes Van der Merwe. “These young athletes learn to perform under pressure, work cohesively as teams, and demonstrate the character that creates future leaders both on and off the field.”
The tournament’s structure ensures meaningful competition for every participant, with round-robin formats guaranteeing multiple matches and genuine development opportunities rather than single-elimination pressure.
Creating opportunities through sport
As a national display, the Curro Halala Cup provides visibility for emerging talent while promoting gender equality in competitive sport. The tournament creates pathways for young women to pursue football at the highest levels, demonstrating that excellence in female sport deserves the same platform, recognition, and opportunity as male sport.
“Year two is about elevating standards and expanding opportunities,” says Van der Merwe.
“The addition of the under-19 girls’ division isn’t just growth – it’s a statement about the quality and future of female football in South Africa. These young women deserve to compete at an elite level, and the Halala Cup provides exactly that platform.”
The future of school football
The 2026 Curro Halala Cup represents a significant milestone in South African school sport – a tournament that combines competitive excellence with meaningful opportunity creation. As the only national school football event at this level, it sets the standard for what school sport can achieve: discovering talent, developing athletes, and showcasing the very best of South African football.
With expanded reach, proven structure, and continued commitment to sporting excellence, the Curro Halala Cup is shaping the next generation of South African footballers while championing equal opportunity in competitive sport.