Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has revealed which companies contributed to the Lucky Fans travel initiative, which will pay for 20 South Africans to watch Bafana Bafana in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 12 June against Mexico, in Mexico City.

This comes after McKenzie revealed that his department would not be spending taxpayer money on the initiative.

“HONOR Technologies Africa contributed towards the travel logistics component for the Lucky Fans delegation,” McKenzie said in response to a written question from Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) Leah Potgieter.

“In addition, media support linked to the initiative was facilitated through sponsorship arrangements involving Betway. Cell C has recently also committed as a further sponsor.”

The minister restated that “no government funds were utilised directly for the Lucky Fans travel initiative” and that his department’s role was limited to the administration and facilitation of the competition.

While Potgieter asked McKenzie for the full cost breakdown per fan, he did not provide this figure, stating that “total package costs are subject to price fluctuations and the time of bookings”.

However, he told the MP that the sponsors cover flights, accommodation, ground transport, and a daily allowance.

The competition opened on Wednesday, 29 April, and closed on Sunday, 3 May, during which time South Africans were given a chance to submit a 30-second video demonstrating their passion for football and South Africa.

It was reopened from 10 to 11 May, after which an independent panel assessed the entries based on passion and originality and verified that entrants had the necessary travel documents.

The panel selected one fan from each of the 16 Premier Soccer League clubs and four wild-card submissions, who won return flights to South Africa’s opening game against Mexico, three nights of accommodation, a match ticket, and ground transfers.

McKenzie also mentioned in his response to Potgieter that his department is working towards sending more South Africans to support Bafana Bafana at the tournament.

“The ministry is currently planning to expand the programme to include more fans for the group-stage matches after the opening game in Mexico City,” he said.

Bafana Bafana kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico on 11 June at 9 PM, South African time.

South Africa’s other group games are against the Czech Republic in Atlanta on 18 June and against South Korea in Monterrey on 24 June.