Scorpion Kings Live at FNB Stadium: Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa play to more than 74,000
A parachute entrance, a stage full of amapiano's best and a crowd that filled Africa's biggest stadium. Now DJ Maphorisa has his eye on London's O2.
Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, the amapiano duo known as the Scorpion Kings, played to more than 74,000 people at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday 19 September 2026. Scorpion Kings Live, billed as "A Family Affair", was the duo's biggest show yet, and Gauteng Tourism has since valued it at about R200 million to the province.
- 74,000+people at FNB Stadium on 19 September
- R200mGauteng Tourism's estimate of the boost to the province
- 50+artists on the bill, from Nasty C to Ringo Madlingozi
From Loftus to Africa's biggest stadium
The night grew out of a smaller one. In August 2025 the pair packed Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld for the first Scorpion Kings Live with Friends, and in April they announced the step up to FNB, the calabash-shaped home of South African football. When tickets opened in May, Maphorisa said close to half a million people were waiting in the online queue, and the first release sold out.
“FNB Stadium is about taking that feeling and amplifying it for the world to see.”
Photo: Happiraphael — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What happened on the night
Gates opened at noon for an afternoon pre-show, and the main event began just before seven with a prayer from Maphorisa's mother. Then came the moment fans had guessed at for weeks: a parachute entrance. The duo opened with Hello, backed by a live band, while Bontle Modiselle and Robot Boii hosted.
The guest list read like a roll call of South African pop. Kamo Mphela, Msaki, Ami Faku, Lady Du, Busiswa, Thatohatsi and Nkosazana Daughter shared the stage for Asibe Happy, and Nasty C, Young Stunna and Focalistic were among the rest. The screens remembered AKA, Riky Rick and Costa Titch, and Maphorisa's alter ego Madumane arrived in a Gusheshe, the classic BMW, driven up a ramp onto the stage. Kabza closed with half an hour of unreleased music.
Gauteng Tourism's sums put about R150 million of the total in the event itself and a further R49 million in hotels, transport, food and merchandise. Maphorisa's reply on X was a simple, delighted "Ohhh for real?"
History was made. I won't lie.
DJ Maphorisa, in a video to fans the day after the show
Amapiano's London crowd
The diaspora has been part of the Scorpion Kings story for years. The duo sold out Printworks in London in 2022, headlined Piano People in the Park in 2024 and, in May this year, topped the bill at the High Lights Festival in Barking Park, east London, billed as their biggest UK show so far. That set, filmed by the promoter, has passed 1.6 million views on YouTube.
So when Maphorisa told fans that his next dream venue was the O2, adding that he knew it was not in South Africa, it landed well with a large amapiano audience in Britain. He also asked fans to choose between Cape Town and Mozambique for another show. Nothing is booked yet, and Robot Boii's hint at a return to FNB in 2027 is just that, a hint.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Scorpion Kings?
The Scorpion Kings are the South African amapiano duo of Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
How many people went to Scorpion Kings Live at FNB Stadium?
More than 74,000 people attended the show at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, on Saturday 19 September 2026.
How much was the show worth to Gauteng?
Gauteng Tourism estimates about R200 million: roughly R150 million from the event itself and R49 million spent on hotels, transport, food and merchandise.
Are the Scorpion Kings playing the O2 in London?
Not yet. DJ Maphorisa has said the O2 is his dream next stop, but no London date has been announced.
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