BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS – Imagine arriving at Farmers Market ready for a day of music, food, fashion and good company, only to discover that you do not have to leave the party when the football kicks off.
That is the experience the Eswatini Farmers Market is bringing to Malkerns this Saturday, as the fifth edition adds live football viewing to an already packed entertainment programme.
On October 10, 2026, the Malkerns Country Club will become a meeting point for football supporters and entertainment lovers, with the MTN 8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns scheduled to be screened live at the Texas 2nd Stage at 6pm, courtesy of Destiny Events.
For anyone who has been worried about choosing between the big game and Farmers Market Weekend, organisers have made the choice easier.
You can have both.
The football screening is one of the latest additions to an event already built around bringing different experiences together.
Instead of fans having to rush home to catch the final, Farmers Market is bringing the game directly into the festival environment.
At 6pm, the attention will turn to the screen as football supporters gather to watch Pirates take on Sundowns.
The beauty of the experience is that supporters can enjoy the match with friends, react to every moment together and still remain within the Farmers Market atmosphere.
Once the football conversation settles, the entertainment continues.
It is essentially matchday meets festival day
The idea speaks directly to people who do not want their Saturday divided between different venues.
You could spend the day exploring the Farmers Market, checking out fashion, grabbing food, enjoying the atmosphere and listening to performances before finding your spot for the 6pm football screening.
And when the match is over, the night is far from finished.
The festival’s entertainment line-up brings together some of the biggest names from South Africa and Eswatini, creating a programme that stretches beyond the football screen.
South African stars Zee Nxumalo, Oscar Mbo, Jnr SA and Argento Dust are among the major names on the bill.
They will be joined by a long list of local talent, including Team Royal, Atmos Blaq, Gifted Kosie, Drum Rhythm, DJ T.A.P & Thubillion, Mandisa Mamba, Tempo, Sibu Manzini, DJ Cup, Zulu D, Teesto, Ayacity, Baba Bandora, DJ Giarm, Thaif O-Son, Deenox, Glad, Locco, Mafaka, Maradona, Notik, Obsession, Rekorder, Sgitha Smith, Bosso, Mncedisi The Percussionist, Genes of the Vibe, Nkay & Smally, among many more performances.
This means the football screening is not competing with the festival.
It is part of the festival.
While football fans may arrive proudly representing their teams, Farmers Market has another challenge for everyone attending.
The 2026 theme is “LOOK LIKE A COWBOY.”
That opens the door for a rather interesting combination: football jerseys, cowboy hats, boots, denim and festival fashion all sharing the same venue.
The event is expected to bring together music, fashion, arts, food and lifestyle, with the cowboy theme adding a playful visual identity to the fifth anniversary celebration.
So whether you are coming for the football, the music, the food, the fashion or simply the atmosphere, Farmers Market is creating a space where all those interests can exist on the same Saturday.
That is perhaps the biggest selling point of the football screening.
For football lovers, October 10 does not have to be a choice between watching the MTN 8 final and attending one of Eswatini’s major lifestyle events.
Farmers Market is bringing the two worlds together.
The match kicks off at 6pm, giving fans a clear moment to gather at the Texas 2nd Stage and experience the football together.
Before that, there is the market atmosphere.
After that, there is more entertainment.
And throughout the day, there is the opportunity to meet friends, discover different food and fashion offerings and become part of the Farmers Market experience.
Tickets for the event are E300 for general admission, E120 for children and E850 for VIP, with children below three years entering free.
Tickets are available through Carrot Tickets and at participating Pick n Pay stores across Eswatini.
The message behind the football screening is simple: Farmers Market wants its audience to experience more without having to sacrifice one experience for another.
Come for the atmosphere.
Stay for the game.
Dance afterwards.
And somewhere between the football chants, music, cowboy hats and festival lights, make a Saturday out of it.
Because on October 10, Farmers Market Weekend is not asking you to choose between football and entertainment.
It is bringing them to you in one place.
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