Ye Announces South Africa Show

Ye (Kanye West) will perform at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, on 13 December 2025 (image source)

Taking to X, Ye revealed he will perform live at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 13 December 2025, marking his only African concert for the year and his first South African show since 2011.

Pre-registration for tickets opened immediately via Ticketpro.co.za after the announcement, with sales to follow in staggered phases. Event organiser Monyake Group and venue operator Ellis Park Stadium will share tiered pricing and VIP package details in the coming weeks.

Ellis Park Stadium, which seats over 62,000 fans, has hosted landmark sporting and music events—from the 1995 Rugby World Cup final to performances by Rihanna and U2. Industry analysts predict demand will outstrip supply, pushing ticket prices on the secondary market above face value. “This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for African hip-hop fans,” said Siyabonga Mthembu, a Johannesburg concert promoter.

Fans reacted instantly on social media, flooding timelines with excitement and memes. One Twitter user posted, “If Ticketpro crashes, just know I warned you,” while another tagged AI bots for live updates. Yet skepticism surfaced as online reports highlight concerns over the promoter’s limited online presence and past event history, advising fans to verify purchase channels before paying.

Ye’s South African date follows selective global stops on his 2025 world tour, including sell-out shows in Seoul and Shanghai. In July, he delivered a dramatic performance at Incheon Munhak Stadium—his first in Korea—earning praise for emotional depth and stagecraft. Industry insiders say Johannesburg’s inclusion reflects Ye’s strategy to focus on marquee events with high cultural impact.

Ye—born Kanye West—rose to fame in the early 2000s, earning 22 Grammy Awards and collaborating with South African artists such as AKA and Cassper Nyovest. His 2011 Coke Zero Fest appearance in Johannesburg remains legendary among local fans. Despite controversies and tour cancellations in recent years, his global influence endures, with each performance driving spikes in streaming and merchandise sales.

With pre-registration numbers climbing, all eyes are on Ticketpro for the public sale launch date. Support-act announcements and set-list teases are expected by early November. As anticipation builds, the key questions are: Will Monyake Group deliver a seamless ticketing experience? And how will Johannesburg’s hospitality sector capitalise on the influx of international visitors?

For now, South African music fans have circled 13 December on their calendars—ready for what promises to be the continent’s biggest show of the year.