News24 | Tyla upgrades SA tour stop to SunBet Arena, adds second show after high fan demand

Tyla performs onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theatre on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

When fans talk, global pop superstar Tyla listens. Fresh off the success of her sophomore album A*POP, the Grammy-winning superstar is proving once again that no matter how bright her international light shines, home will always come first.

Following widespread fan feedback on social media regarding venue seating and general comfort, promoters have officially moved the Gauteng leg of Tyla’s A*POP World Tour from Johannesburg’s Expo Centre at Nasrec to Pretoria’s world-class SunBet Arena.

And that’s not all. To satisfy the growing demand, a second Gauteng date has been added to the calendar. Tyla will now grace the SunBet Arena stage on Friday, 8 January and Saturday, 9 January 2027, following the tour’s grand kickoff in Cape Town on 4 January 2027.

Dominating SA charts

The upgrade comes as no surprise, given Mzansi’s unwavering support for the hitmaker. When A*POP dropped earlier this year, the 14-track project smashed local records - racking up over 593 000 first-day Spotify streams in South Africa alone and dominating the top ten on Apple Music SA.

Rooted deeply in homegrown culture, the album celebrates local talent through features with powerhouses like MaWhoo and Babalwa M, alongside a much-loved reimagining of Liquideep’s classic Fairytale.

Listening to fans

Following the initial announcement, fans voiced concerns on social media regarding the lack of seated options at Nasrec, particularly for families and younger “Tygers” eager to see the hitmaker live, prompting promoters to reconsider the setup.

READ | ‘She’s coming home’: Tyla announces SA leg of A*POP World Tour

The shift to the fully indoor SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, ensures all-weather comfort, premium production capabilities, and structured seating categories tailored for most age groups.

What ticketholders need to know

For fans who have already secured their tickets or are planning to attend, here are the essential details:

• Automatic Transfers & Re-allocation: Existing ticket holders (including those who originally purchased via Howler for the 9 January date) are being facilitated via Ticketmaster to transition their bookings smoothly into the new SunBet Arena seating configuration.
• Refund Options: Fans unable to attend the new dates or preferred venue setup can request a full refund directly through Ticketmaster.
• Second Show Sales: Tickets for the newly added show on Friday, 8 January 2027, as well as remaining allocations for Saturday, 9 January 2027, are officially live on Ticketmaster.

With two consecutive nights at one of the country’s top indoor arenas, Tyla’s homecoming is officially set to be one of the biggest live music highlights of 2027.

Tygers can look forward to singing along to standout hits, such as She Did It Again (featuring Zara Larsson), as well as fast-rising fan favourites like That Girl, which has already taken social media by storm with viral TikTok choreography.