JEFFREYS BAY – More than 1 000 archers from across South Africa, accompanied by their families, coaches and supporters, will descend on Jeffreys Bay this spring when Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) South Africa hosts its 2026 National Championship from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
The prestigious championship will be hosted at the four-star Mentors Country Estate just outside Jeffreys Bay, with total visitor numbers expected to reach approximately 2 500 over the course of the event.
The championship is being presented with the support of Kouga Local Municipality as the main sponsor, helping bring one of the country’s largest archery events to the Eastern Cape.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said the municipality was proud to support an event of this magnitude and to showcase Kouga as a destination capable of hosting major national sporting events.
“We are delighted to welcome AGA South Africa and thousands of archers, families and supporters to Kouga. Events such as this provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our beautiful region while contributing directly to the local economy,” said Bornman.
“Sport tourism is an important part of our tourism offering. When visitors stay in our accommodation establishments, eat at our restaurants, shop in our businesses and explore our attractions, the benefits extend far beyond the sporting venue,” he added.
A week of world-class sport
Archers from every province will compete across three national championships during the week.
The National Inter-Provincial Championship (NIPC) will see provincial teams competing head-to-head for national honours, while the National Adult Archery Group Championship (NAAGC) will showcase some of South Africa’s leading senior archers across various bow categories.
The National Interschool & Club Championship (NISCC) will bring a vibrant family atmosphere to the event, with school teams and club archers of all ages taking centre stage.
Opening parades, official ceremonies, a gala evening and prizegivings will form part of the programme, ensuring that the championship offers an experience for participants and spectators alike.
Bornman said the event also provided an opportunity to inspire young people through sport.
“Hosting a national championship of this scale in Jeffreys Bay gives our local community, particularly young people, an opportunity to experience a sport that they may not otherwise encounter. We hope that the event will inspire more children and young people to participate in archery and other sporting activities,” he said.
Discover Jeffreys Bay and Kouga
While the archers compete, visitors will have an opportunity to experience everything Jeffreys Bay and the greater Kouga region have to offer.
Jeffreys Bay is internationally renowned for its surf, beautiful coastline and relaxed atmosphere. September also coincides with the peak whale-watching season, while visitors can enjoy dolphin sightings, surf lessons, seaside markets, restaurants and cafés.
The region also offers a variety of attractions and activities, including day trips to St Francis Bay, Addo Elephant National Park and the Tsitsikamma forests.
According to AGA Eastern Cape organisers, the championship is about more than competition.
“This is more than a competition; it is a celebration of sport, family and community. We are thrilled to welcome archers and their loved ones to Jeffreys Bay, and we are deeply grateful to the Kouga Local Municipality for making it possible. Come and be part of history.”
The influx of visitors is expected to provide a welcome boost to the local economy, with accommodation establishments, restaurants, retail businesses and tourism operators expected to benefit from the increased activity throughout the championship.
Bornman encouraged residents and visitors to support the event.
“We invite residents and visitors to come out and experience the excitement of the championship. Events of this nature belong not only to the participants but to the community as a whole. Let us give our visiting archers and their families a warm Kouga welcome and show them why Jeffreys Bay remains such a special destination,” he said.
Spectators are welcome, and families and community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the archers as they compete for national honours.
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