We’re still a little mad about Showmax being sunsetted, but this may help us get over it. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup around the corner, many Saffas are prepping their wallets to secure the necessary DStv subscription. Before, that was DStv Premium, the priciest of the lot. Now, the Canal+-owned company has announced that just about anyone can get in on the action, whether they sport a costly Premium or R100/m Access subscription.
Soccer? I hardly know ‘er!
It’s the package that has the most eyeballs,” said Rendani Ramovha, Canal+ director for content for sports in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa. “It’s just a testament to the mandate that we [Canal+] have to make sure that we reach as many people with the content slate that we have.”
This is Canal’s first big hurdle regarding a major sporting event, and it nailed it on the head. Not only does it generate heaps of goodwill (and it needs it), but it may actually work out financially in the long run. Pricing locals out of the FIFA World Cup is a surefire way to get someone googling ‘world cup 26 free’. Anyone with an ounce of technological understanding would find what they’re looking for. But DStv means fewer hassles.
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We did say ‘fewer’ hassles. Watching the World Cup in the cheapest manner possible will mean purchasing a streaming-only subscription, reliant on servers and your internet speed for the best results. It’ll set you back R150/m for an Access satellite sub, but that also means paying a few extra bucks for a proper decoder.
Whatever you decide, however, it’ll be worth it. Every single one of the 104 matches will be available live. Happen to miss one? The highlights and repeats are also included in your subscription. It is, by far, the most accessible World Cup to date. It’s also the longest-running, kicking off on 11 June and running ’til 19 July 2026. Kicking things off is South Africa taking on Mexico, a repeat of the thrilling opener in 2010.
