Heritage Day may fall on Thursday, but the celebration continues into the weekend.
On Saturday, 26 September 2026, the Matchem Stakes brings the first feature race day of the Race Coast Spring Season to Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Get your tickets now!
It’s shaping up to be an afternoon of racing, live entertainment, good food, family fun and proudly South African spirit.
- And at just R30 for adults (includes a soft drink) and R10 for children under 18 (includes a free slushie and popcorn), it’s a day out that won’t break the bank.
THREE FEATURE RACES. ONE BIG DAY OUT.
The racing takes centre stage with three feature races:
- Matchem Stakes Gr 3
- Diana Stakes Gr 3
- Settlers Trophy L
For racing fans, it’s an exciting opening to the Race Coast Spring Season. But you don’t have to know your furlongs from your finish lines to enjoy the day. Come for the atmosphere. Stay for the music. Bring the kids. Meet friends. Grab something to eat. Browse the market. Watch the horses thunder down the track. There’s plenty happening between the races.
LIVE MUSIC, FOOD & A LITTLE RETAIL THERAPY
Food and drinks will be available throughout the venue, while 20 thrift market stalls offer the opportunity to browse, shop and discover something unexpected.
And for families, there’s a free, supervised Kids’ Zone packed with jumping castles, arcade games, crafts, face painting, balloon artists and more.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Smile FM’s Keeno Lee will take on MC duties, while guests can enjoy entertainment from DJ Naughty Nic, Newton & Co and Andriette Norman. Lucky Fish activations will further add to the day’s entertainment, ensuring that the atmosphere remains lively from the moment the gates open through to sundown.
It’s a spring afternoon designed to bring people together, whether you’re there for the racing or simply looking for something different to do.
AND THEN THERE’S THE POTJIE…
If your idea of a great South African day involves a bubbling potjie, a fire and a little friendly competition, you can make the Matchem Stakes even more interesting.
The Matchem Stakes Potjiekos Competition will see up to 12 teams of six go head-to-head around the fire, competing for:
🏆 R4,000 cash + trophy for the winning team
🎉 R1,000 GEES Prize + trophy
Teams will have three hours to create their ultimate potjie, with judging based on taste, presentation and creativity.
Teams are encouraged to dress up, decorate their cooking station and bring the GEES – because the most spirited team could walk away with the GEES Prize.
WANT TO ENTER?
Entry is just R250 per team, which includes event access for the participating team.
There are only 12 team places available, so teams need to get their entries in quickly.
Entries close at close of business on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, or once all 12 places have been filled.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
Whether you’re there to watch the feature races, soak up the atmosphere, listen to live music, enjoy some good food, keep the kids entertained – or throw your hat into the potjie ring – the Matchem Stakes is an easy way to spend a spring Saturday with your people.
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Hollywoodbets Durbanville
Adults: R30 incl. soft drink
Under 18s: R10 incl. slushie & popcorn
MORE THAN JUST RACING. IT’S HERITAGE.
Come for the racing. Stay for the experience. Bring your tribe.
