rAge Expo 2025 concluded after a blockbuster three-day run from 5–7 December, transforming level 8 of Fourways Mall into a 20,000-square-metre celebration of gaming, technology and geek culture. With more than 182 exhibitors and tens of thousands of enthusiastic visitors, the expo delivered a bold new chapter in the event’s 23-year history.

The unconventional rooftop venue brought together next-generation gaming experiences and nostalgic rAge energy, drawing comparisons to the iconic Dome-era editions of the event. From the moment doors opened on Friday, excitement was palpable, with eager fans queuing more than an hour before opening and the buzz carrying through the entire weekend.

“On paper, the concept made perfect sense: build a world-class expo on top of South Africa’s largest shopping centre and take advantage of a dynamic space with built-in foot traffic,” said Michael James, Project Director of rAge. “The reality of implementation came with both opportunities and challenges. Heat, loading logistics and longer walks to ablution facilities weren’t ideal, but the energy of the event, our committed partners and the thousands of visitors more than made up for it.”

The result was a sold-out exhibition floor and waves of visitors discovering rAge in a completely new way. “To everyone who showed up and believed in the vision — thank you. Your trust helps shape rAge into something magical each year,” James added.

Social media buzzed throughout the weekend, with attendees praising the venue’s scale, open layout and industrial flair. “It felt just like the old Dome rAge again — the energy here is unbelievable,” shared one veteran attendee, while another described the rooftop setting as “the perfect size, with so much to see and do.”

According to one media review, rAge remains a place where fans and creators come together “not just to consume content, but to feel part of something bigger” — a sentiment echoed throughout the weekend.

Impact Beyond the Expo

Fourways Mall itself recorded its highest Saturday and Sunday foot traffic to date during the event. While many visitors headed directly to rAge, a significant number flowed through the mall, boosting activity across restaurants and retail stores.

“It was great to see new audiences discovering Fourways Mall, while our shoppers were also able to experience rAge in a way that felt organic and added to the overall buzz of the busy December period,” said Juan Palm, General Manager of Fourways Mall.

Looking ahead, rAge organisers and Fourways Mall management have committed to a multi-stage improvement plan for the 2026 event, addressing heat management and other operational refinements. “We’ve learnt a few hard lessons and already have solutions in place,” said James. “We’ll share specific details as they’re finalised.”

Cosplay Shines at rAge 2025

One of the weekend’s standout features was the GES Cosplay Competitions, which showcased exceptional creativity, craftsmanship and performance. With a highly competitive field, judges recognised the following winners:

Best in Show
• Numinex

Needlework Category
• 1st: Summer Fury
• 2nd: Gene the Sea Witch
• 3rd: moosechestercxsplay

Armour Category
• 1st: Janeko Shounen
• 2nd: Warkittycos
• 3rd: Titantank2016

Special Awards
• Best Wig: ComiGeko
• Best Prop: Gene the Sea Witch
• Best Makeup: PinkiePie
• Greenleaf Award: Celtra
• Fan Favourite: Celtra
• Best Newcomer: Kudzoken

Cosplay Photography Awards
• Digital: Lamees Marquard
• Natural Light: Phantom Pixel Photography
• Studio: Phantom Pixel Photography
• Onsite Winner: HkBvisuals

BYOC LAN & Esports Reach New Heights

The BYOC LAN found a new home on Level 8 of Fourways Mall, where hundreds of gamers played non-stop throughout the weekend. Infrastructure partners Cool Ideas and Pure Storage delivered ultra-low latency connectivity, with speed tests averaging 1ms ping and near-gigabit upload and download speeds.

rAge 2025 also featured the most esports tournaments in the event’s history, spanning nearly every major competitive title. A standout highlight was seeing parents cheering on their children during matches — a testament to how deeply gaming culture has embedded itself across generations. Mettlestate hosted a variety of tournaments with their partners, driving esports and empowering gamers across the country.

Mettlestate Tournment Winners:

  • Mamelodi Sundowns Esports Championship: Zaid April
  • Monster COD Tournament: NIXUH
  • Mastercard Nedbank Summoner Tournament (League of Legends): ATK
  • Varsity Esports:
    • Rocket League: SU TaMATIES
    • EAFC: VC KENNEDY
    • Valorant: SU ODIN
    • Stellenbosch University emerged as the overall Varsity Esports winners, cementing their position as one of the leading esports universities in South Africa.

RGB Gaming School & Community Tournament Winners:

  • Boost Cup High School winners: 1st Place: Fourways High | 2nd Place: Hoërskool Oos-Moot | 3rd Place: King Edward
  • Legends Tournament winners: 1st Place: Bryanston High | 2nd Place: Fouways High | 3rd Place: IVA Global
  • EDUVOS Champions: 1st Place: Event Horizon | 2nd Place: Deviants | 3rd Place: Aztech Raiders
  • Boost Cup Primary School winners: 1st Place: Montrose Primary | 2nd Place: Crawford Bedfordview | 3rd Place: Crawford Fourways
  • Heroes Tournament winners: 1st Place: Bryandale Primary | 2nd Place: Montrose Primary | 3rd Place: IVA Global

Goliath x 5FM rAge Showdown

rAge Expo, in partnership with media partner 5FM, teamed up with Goliath Gaming to host a series of competitive gaming tournaments over the weekend. The events attracted strong participation and high-level play across multiple titles. Tournament results were as follows:

EAFC
1st – Harry Kappa

2nd – Joshua Gillett

3rd – Aasim Lamara

Tekken

1st – Yadhill Mooni

2nd – Tii Money

3rd – Abdul Malik Khan

Street Fighter

1st – Tshiamo Lekoro

2nd – Sekwele Ramaube

3rd – Alex Dateling

2XKO

1st – Patrice Sendze

2nd – Roona Ndlovu

3rd – Jonathan Muamba

After a weekend defined by action, innovation and camaraderie, rAge Expo 2025 proved to be more than just an event, it was a celebration of community.

“The heartbeat of rAge has always been its people. The gamers, the dreamers, the makers,” said James. “This year, we felt that heartbeat louder than ever.”

The rAge organisers extend their thanks to all exhibitors, partners and sponsors, including Cool Ideas, Pure Storage, Monster Energy, Intel, 5FM, Mettlestate, Varsity Esports and Carry1st.

Plans for rAge Expo 2026 are already underway, and after this past year’s success, expectations for what comes next have never been higher.