rAge 2026: South Africa's Ultimate Gaming Festival Returns with a Bang

rAge 2026 will take place between November 27-29, 2026 at Fourways Mall, Level 8 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This year’s edition of the gaming event evolves from an expo into full-scale festival, encompassing esports, gaming, culture, anime, cosplay, interactive experiences and competitions. rAge joined forces with Mettlestate to deliver this year’s elevated edition of the event.

The organization of this year’s event is facilitated via an agreement between rAge and Mettlestate, which have joined forces for a strategic partnership focusing on rAge 2026. The theme of this year’s rAge event will be inspired by retrofuturism, combining visual language and nostalgia.

Michael James, rAge’s Project Director, spoke about the upcoming event, saying, 'We’ve spent 23 years building one of South Africa’s most recognized gaming brands. Now we are taking the biggest step in our history. Together with Mettlestate, we’re creating something that extends far beyond an expo.' Barry Louzada, Mettlestate’s Managing Director, was similarly excited, explaining that rAge 2026 represents a reinvention of what the popular gaming event can be.