SportyBet is set to launch its first Crash Games World Cup (CGWC) on October 14, 2026, offering 21 days of competition and nearly R1.7 million in prizes across participating SportyBet markets in Africa and Mexico. The global competition brings SportyBet’s Crash Games portfolio together in a single tournament, allowing players to compete for the top spot on the individual leaderboard while representing one of six ambassador teams. Benni McCarthy, former Bafana Bafana striker, and Cheslin Kolbe, the Springbok star and two-time Rugby World Cup champion, will represent South Africa. They will join international ambassadors DJ Khaled, Burna Boy, Yan Diomande and Asisat Oshoala.
“We have big ambitions for Crash Games, and this World Cup is an important step in taking them to the next level. We want to build something players look forward to, with major international names, genuine competition and prizes that make winning feel special. South Africa is a key market for SportyBet, and having two of the country’s biggest sporting names, Benni McCarthy and Cheslin Kolbe, leading teams in our first World Cup makes this launch even more exciting. We want South African players right at the heart of the action, competing for the title and making their mark on the global stage,” said Greg Parsons, VP of Business Development, Media and Marketing at Sporty Group.
DJ Khaled, Sporty Group Global Ambassador, said, “This is big. Players across Africa and Mexico, six teams, 21 days, nearly R1.7 million in prizes and only one champion. Everybody wants that number one spot, but there can only be one. This is the Crash Games World Cup. Let’s go!”
“Representing South Africa on a global platform is always special. Football has taught me the importance of competition, focus, and pushing yourself to be the best, and I’m looking forward to bringing that competitive spirit to the Crash Games World Cup. I’m backing Team Benni, and I’m looking forward to seeing South African players get involved,” said Benni McCarthy, SportyBet ambassador
Choose your ambassador. Play. Earn XP. Climb the leaderboard.
Players must choose one of the six ambassadors, and their selection is locked for the duration of the World Cup. They can then play any eligible CGWC Crash Game, earn experience points (XP) from qualifying cashouts, improve their individual ranking, and contribute to their chosen ambassador’s team.
Scoring is based on the cashout multiplier, not the stake size: a 2x cashout earns 20 XP and a 10x cashout earns 100 XP, before any applicable progression multiplier. Losing rounds earn no XP. Only qualifying real-money play counts, and automatic and manual cashouts are treated equally.
Players can join at any time during the 21-day competition, but previous activity will not count retrospectively. As they earn XP, they progress through Crash Levels and can track their individual ranking, progression, contribution to their ambassador and overall team standings.
Nearly R1.7 million in prizes. 5,000 winners. One championship ring.
The CGWC will reward 5,000 players with nearly R1.7 million in cash prizes, exclusive merchandise and Free Bets. The first Crash Games World Cup champion will receive R85,000 in cash, a unique championship ring valued at approximately R25,500, and a T-shirt signed by the CGWC ambassadors. Inspired by NBA championship rings, the gold-plated collector’s item features zirconia stones and has been created specifically for the inaugural winner.
The prize breakdown is as follows:
- 1st place:R85,000 cash, championship ring valued at approximately R25,500 and a signed T-shirt.
- 2nd–3rd place:R42,500 cash each and a signed T-shirt.
- 4th–10th place:R17,000 cash each and a signed T-shirt.
- 11th–100th place:Signed T-shirts.
- 101st–500th place:R850 in Free Bets.
- 501st–1,000th place:R340 in Free Bets.
- 1,001st–5,000th place:R170 in Free Bets.
Six teams. One World Champion.
Players will choose between Team Khaled, Team Burna, Team Kolbe, Team Benni, Team Diomande and Team Oshoala. Every qualifying game contributes to both the player’s individual campaign and their ambassador’s performance. Individual rankings are determined by cumulative XP, while a separate leaderboard tracks the six teams.
After 21 days, the leaderboard will be frozen, results verified, and winners confirmed. Winner identities will also be verified before prizes are released. The Crash Games World Cup begins on October 14, 2026 and runs for 21 days across participating SportyBet markets in Africa and Mexico, including South Africa.
The race to become SportyBet’s first Crash Games World Cup champion is about to begin.
