Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank welcomes record audience as it accelerates towards its milestone 10th edition
The ninth edition of the Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank delivered a standout celebration of automotive passion, performance and innovation at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 28 to 30 August 2026.
A record 34,659 visitors attended the Festival, a 6.8% increase on 2025, affirming its position as Africa's leading automotive lifestyle event. Visitors travelled from 261 cities and towns across 24 countries, demonstrating the Festival's expanding reach and enduring appeal among motoring enthusiasts, families and industry stakeholders alike.
Presented under the theme Driven by Purpose. Defined by Legacy, the 2026 Festival honoured South Africa's rich automotive heritage while creating an energetic platform for the future of mobility.
Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, said: “Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank continues to bring motoring enthusiasts together through a shared passion for mobility, innovation and performance. The strong growth in attendance this year reflects the value of creating meaningful, accessible experiences that allow people to engage directly with the vehicles, technology and possibilities shaping the future of motoring.”
“The Festival of Motoring is a powerful expression of how mobility brings people, brands and communities together,” said Rob Gwerengwe, CEO of WesBank. We are proud to support an event that brings the future of mobility to life and inspires greater engagement with South Africa’s automotive industry. As we look ahead to the festival’s 10th edition, WesBank remains committed to enabling mobility and driving industry progress.”
Across the weekend, 24 automotive brands and 123 exhibitors transformed Kyalami into an immersive motoring destination. Visitors enjoyed exhilarating passenger rides, hands-on self-drive opportunities, precision driving, drifting displays, go-karting, 4x4 adventures, family entertainment and interactive brand activations across the circuit's Green, Yellow and Blue Zones.
More than 10,000 track experiences were enjoyed over the three-day Festival, underlining the strength of its experiential format and its ability to connect visitors directly with the vehicles, brands and high-octane moments they value most.
“The core purpose of the Festival of Motoring is to unite consumers and automotive brands on one experiential platform. Moving beyond traditional static displays, the event delivers dynamic, interactive encounters. It remains a powerful meeting point for the automotive industry and the people who are passionate about it,” said Judy Maharaj, Show Director of Festival of Motoring. “This year’s strong attendance and engagement reflect the enthusiasm shared by visitors, exhibitors and partners, and the growing demand for meaningful experiences that bring brands, technology and people together. Through these moments, the Festival also helps shape and affirm Africa’s evolving car culture by celebrating the passion, innovation and community that drive it forward.”
The Festival’s dynamic programme was supported by its partners and participating brands, with WesBank as the naming-rights partner. From premium hospitality and motorsport action to family-focused entertainment and challenging off-road experiences, each zone offered visitors a distinct way to engage with the Festival.
Following the success of the 2026 edition, the Festival of Motoring team is now focused on its landmark 10th edition, returning to Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 27 to 29 August 2027.
