You’d better warm up your trigger fingers and tighten that headset – rAge Expo 2025 is about to hit Fourways Mall … hard.

Amplif5d by 5FM

5FM and Goliath Gaming have joined forces to bring a multi-station zone of gaming. We’re talking King of the Hill challenges, ‘Challenge the Pro’ face-offs, giveaways and casual stations where anyone can flex. GG gamers will be there, proving that mainstream radio and hardcore esports go together like GG and WP. Catch 5Lunch with Lula Odiba and the Top 40 with Harrison Mkhize broadcasting live from rAge Expo.

RGB Gaming – School’s in Session

What’s next? RGB Gaming is dragging the school bell into the arena with a blistering line-up of student tournaments. 162 students. 32 schools. Five tournaments. Three days. Five new champions. That’s Minecraft, Rocket League, The Finals, and every single game promises the kind of drama and excitement you would find at a world-class sporting event. Esports in education just levelled up.

ACGL comes to rAge with Carry1st

Feast on a jam-packed esports playground designed for every type of gamer. Across the weekend, attendees can jump into quick-fire mini-tournaments and challenges featuring:

  • Racing Leaderboards – set your fastest lap and fight for the top of the board.
  • EAFC Battles – fast-paced football showdowns for players of all skill levels.
  • Fighting Game Cups – community-driven brackets across popular fighting titles.
  • Daily Competitions and Spot Prizes – fresh formats and new challenges every day.

From casual gamers to die-hard competitors, the ACGL stand will be buzzing with action, prizes, and non-stop energy. Swing by, compete, or just soak up the esports hype, there’s something for everyone.

Carry1st is bringing something truly special to rAge this year with an exclusive Call of Duty: Mobile experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Visitors will get hands-on with an early build of the brand-new DMZ mode, giving players the chance to play unreleased content before it becomes available to the public globally.

Players can also compete on the Carry1st CODM leaderboard throughout the weekend, with the top performer walking away with a brand-new iPhone 17. If you’re a CODM fan, or just want bragging rights as one of the first people to play DMZ, make sure you don’t miss out on the CODM and Carry1st Arena.

Call of Duty finals – powered by Monster Energy

If you thought finals were for books and stress naps, think again. The Monster Call of Duty Invitational is locked in and ready for battle, bringing a showdown of South Africa’s top talent for the country’s first competitive look at Black Ops 7. Four elite teams have been called up – Nixuh, FE4R, Highborn, and Aerial, and they will be bringing their clutch plays in 4v4 Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Overload matchups.

Whether you’re a hardened CoD warlord or just CoD-curious, prepare for adrenaline, noise, and total immersion.

Mettlestate comes to the party with a host of esports, including:

The Mettlestate Lounge – where gamers chill and flex

If you’re looking for a vibe check between tournaments, swing by the Mettlestate Lounge. This chill zone is serving up limited-edition Jacobs Coffee, Davidoff Elixir Pinball for prizes, and a whole pop-up shop from Mamelodi Sundowns. Smash your mates in the Gaming Pods, grab a fragrance, and pretend you’re just here for the vibes. You’re not. You came to win.

Varsity Esports finals

Rocket League. EAFC25. Valorant. The top South African university teams are about to explode on stage with R90K in prizes and the title of Varsity Esports Champions on the line. It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s where future esports stars start building their legacy.

Mamelodi Sundowns Esports Championship

Football meets firepower with the Sundowns Esports Championship and R200K up for grabs. These EA FC players have battled through qualifiers at Puma stores and online matches just to reach the rAge main stage. The Grand Final kicks off on Sunday – bring your voice, because this one’s going to get rowdy.

Kasi Flare 2025

Grassroots greatness gets its spot in the limelight with Kasi Flare. Born in township gaming hubs across South Africa, these EA FC competitors have earned their spot on the rAge stage. Finals go down Friday with R60K in the pot, but the real win? Pride, passion, and putting township esports on the map.

Mastercard Nedbank Summoner Tournament – League of Legends final

LoL fans, assemble. The Mastercard Nedbank Summoner Tournament brings the top four teams, fresh off two intense qualifiers, into one final brawl. Strategy, teamwork, and pixel-perfect plays rule here, with R100K in loot waiting at the end. Grand Final kicks off Sunday.

This year, Mettlestate isn’t just delivering esports at rAge. They’re throwing you into the arena. So, whether you’re there to frag, flex, or just feed off the fire, one thing’s for sure – esports with Mettlestate at rAge expo isn’t a sideshow – it’s the whole main event.

Citroen

Citroën are bringing a high paced Sim Racing competition with the Citroën C3 Max!

You can also try your luck at finding the special character on the Citroën car wrap for your chance to win a Citroën hamper.

P.S.

Anime After Hours is gearing up to bring one of the most exciting, community-powered anime experiences to rAge! Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering the world of Anime pop culture, this is the stand to be at.

The Japanese Embassy will be on-site to chat about real opportunities to live, study or teach in Japan – including the ‘Teach in Japan’ programme and incredible scholarship options. If Japan has ever been on your bucket list, this is your moment.

The stage will be bursting with energy thanks to live Idol performances, covering both J-pop and K-pop, amplified by LG’s stunning audio-visual setup. Plus, dive deep into the industry with JETRO and StyIP’s Anime Business Panel, uncovering how anime IP and licensing help shape the global entertainment landscape.

Fans can look forward to anime quizzes, mini-games, and tons of giveaways, along with a chill social zone featuring karaoke and hangout areas to meet fellow fans. Art enthusiasts can explore the Drawtober gallery, interact with live artists and add their own creativity to the Pentel community art wall.

Also see a fun 2025 anime recap plus an exclusive peek at what’s coming in 2026. And of course, expect Cinecentre movie ticket giveaways, Evetech prizes and grab exclusive, officially licensed anime merch from Spoonkie.

Don’t miss this – be part of one of the most unforgettable anime experiences rAge has ever seen!

P.P.S.

While you’re here, don’t skip the rest of the fun. The BYOC LAN is back and – bring your rig, claim your spot, and frag till dawn. The rAge Room is also unlocking this year, giving you permission to smash things (legally) to vent your IRL frustrations. There’s new gear to test, indie games to uncover and future-tech demos that make your eyeballs sweat.

And … here’s a little something extra: brought to you by Koodoo.co.za, the Project Motor Racing debut activation is going full throttle — the first in its game series and proudly showcasing the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Two full-spec racing sims, endless attempts (depending on the queue), and a fastest-lap competition with a prize that’ll make your techie heart race.

The winner nabs a pair of VEX Smart Glasses from GamerTek (valued at R5,000) – Bluetooth-enabled, open-ear audio sunglasses with polarised UV400 lenses for that stealth-cool look and crisp sound on the move. Set the best lap time and Koodoo will courier your win right to your door after the event. Winner announced Tuesday, 9 November.

Basically, if you’re into pixels, power-ups, punchy peripherals, or just making things go boom — welcome home.