Nedbank Golf
Challenge
Africa's Major
NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE
As Africa's major, the Nedbank Golf Challenge is renowned for world class golf and premium hospitality, with 66 golfers playing over 4 days, for a purse of $6-million. The tournament will take place at Sun City from 3 – 6 December 2026.
The 7 000m Gary Player Country Club at Sun City has been the home of the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981. Considered one of the top courses in South Africa, the course has been deemed by top international players as ‘demanding yet fair’. As the tournament commences, 66 of the world’s best players will encounter a course that combines challenging fairways interspersed with water hazards and pins tucked out of sight on kidney-shaped greens.
This immaculately groomed layout has received rave reviews from the world’s top golfers, who agree that it is both demanding and fair. This course has been consistently rated as the best in South Africa, and compares with the best in the world.
IN HONOUR OF GARY PLAYER
Gary Player’s footsteps are as deeply imprinted on this iconic golf course as they are in this tournament. From designing the golf course, to rallying the world’s best golfers to attend the first few editions, to now being an ever-present figure at the tournament, Player has witnessed every major evolution that the Nedbank Golf Challenge has undergone.
It was Player who convinced Jack Nicklaus to participate in 1981, despite the political turmoil South Africa was in. He watched as the greatest golfer of this generation, Tiger Woods, chipped in on the 18th to force a playoff with Nick Price in 1998. And he was there when the tournament’s flags hung at half-mast and play was stopped for a minute on the Friday in 2013 to honour the passing of Nelson Mandela.
Four decades later, Gary Player remains as finely-tuned to even the smallest detail that will keep the Nedbank Golf Challenge as one of the premier tournaments of world golf.
43 Years of History
- Past winners include many iconic players such as Max Homa (2023); Tommy Fleetwood (2019 | 2021), Branden Grace (2017); Lee Westwood (2010 | 2011 | 2018); Henrik Stenson (2008); Jim Furyk (2005 | 2006); Ernie Els (1999 | 2000 | 2002); David Frost (1989 |1990 | 1992); Seve Ballesteros (1983 | 1984) with the first winner being Johnny Miller (1981)
- 19 NGC Winners have been Major Winners
- Ryder Cup Captains, Seve Ballesteros; Bernhard Langer; Jim Furyk have all been Nedbank Golf Challenge Winners, whilst many Ryder Cup Captain such as Luke Donald, Colin Montgomerie; Padraig Harrington; Jose Maria Olazabal have played in the Nedbank Golf Challenge over the years.
- Winners have represented 14 countries over the 42 years, with representatives from over 40 nationalities competing in the tournament over the period.
Golf Meets Entertainment
- Incorporating entertainment and live music attracts a broader audience beyond traditional fans. Concerts, social activities, and food festivals alongside the sport, creates a lively, festival-like atmosphere, appealing to younger, more diverse crowds.
- Technology has revolutionised golf, with advancements in equipment, tracking, and golf simulations enhancing the player and fan experience, making it accessible and engaging at all levels.
Engaging sport’s most valuable audience
- A high percentage of golf fans are more likely to be a CEO.
- Fans are more likely to be a board level manager or director and have decision-making responsibility.
- More likely to be a high-income earning household.
- More likely to choose premium products and services and to purchase sponsor products.
- 90% Of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf.
- Women make up 25% of registered adult golfers in 42 markets around the world
- The average age is 36, falling from 41 in 2019
- Influencers are revolutionising the way the sport is perceived and followed. Through showcasing the fun and lifestyle aspects of golf, appealing to a broader audience.
- Golf's appeal amongst celebrities and influencers from outside the sport is bringing it into the mainstream and attracting a wider audience.
- New and established brands are appealing to the next generation of golfers who value self-expression and inclusivity, broadening the sport's appeal.
- There are 468 million Golf Fans Worldwide.
Impactful Experiential Marketing
Activations in Hospitality Village including:
- Stella Beer Garden
- Garmin Premium Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator
- Island Tribe sunscreen
VIP Experiences & Player Engagement
- Play alongside our players and our other partners in the prestigious Pro-Am
- Exclusive tee times on the Lost City Golf Course during tournament week
- Hospitality Facility Visits by the Pros
- Player interaction at functions
- Player autograph opportunities
The Strategic Alliance
with DP World Tour
- Top Player Participation
- Partnership Expansion
- Co-Sanctioned Events
- Co-ordinated Scheduling
NETWORK WITH OUR KEY PARTNERS:
Nedbank, DP World, Emirates, Fortinet, BMW, Rolex, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, CCBSA, AbInBev, Telkom, Old Mutual, SuperSport, Sunbet, MTN, Pro Shop Corporate, Pernod, Diageo, Garmin Golf & SA Tourism to name but a few.
36.2 Million Social impressions
USD $6 Million
Total Prize Money
1st in Race to Dubai
14.8M
Instagram impressions
(+29% YoY)
1.9M
Views on YouTube
(+43% YoY)
2.8M
Website pageviews
543,000
Mobile App sessions
DPWT social media channels delivered over 36m impressions to a highly engaged audience – engagements across social platforms (475k).
YouTube short form views (+636%) improved significantly YoY.
On-site activities offered at NGC
- DP WORLD SMART SERIES
DP World hosted the Smart Series business forum in its private chalet, featuring guest speakers who engaged with clients and prospects. The event highlighted DP World’s regional logistics expertise and provided key networking opportunities - BMW CARS & HOLE-IN-ONE-PRIZE
BMW displayed its premium vehicles across the resort, with test drives available and a Hole-in-One prize on the 16th hole during the final day. - FORTINET TECH TOURS
Fortinet, the Tour's cybersecurity partner, hosted Tech Tours throughout the week, highlighting the Tour's technology and Fortinet's supporting infrastructure - AFRICA’S MINI MAJOR
In the public village, partners activated with branded holes in a 9-hole mini golf challenge, with finalists competing on the tournament’s 18th green after the official prize presentation - JACARANDA
Meet your favourite radio DJ’s who broadcast live from the golf course
NGC VIP Experiences
- HOSPITALITY
Hospitality for partners and guests. The hospitality included access to a private terrace (Chairman’s Deck) with exclusive views of the 18th green, reserved for partner guests. - PRO-AM
The opportunity to participate in the Pro-Am event alongside professional players the day before the tournament begins. - INSIDE THE ROPES
A unique, exclusive experience allowing guests to walk inside the ropes alongside DP World Tour professionals during live tournament play. - MEET & GREET
A special chance to meet professional players face-to-face and engage in interactive Q&A sessions. - OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT FUNCTIONS
There are three official functions across the week, these being, Champions Dinner, Valley of Waves Beach Party and exclusive Boma Braai in the Pilanesberg National Park.
