Johannesburg’s creative community is about to gain an exciting new destination as Rosebank Mall prepares to officially launch The Urban Playground, a multi-purpose lifestyle and entertainment venue designed to bring together sport, gaming, content creation, music, art and entrepreneurship under one roof.
Located on Level 4 of Rosebank Mall, the new venue will officially open to the public on Saturday, 1 August 2026, following a special preview. The launch celebration promises an energetic atmosphere featuring live DJs, entertainment and a skate competition, giving visitors their first opportunity to experience everything the space has to offer.
A destination built for every passion
The Urban Playground has been designed to break away from traditional entertainment venues by creating a space where people can pursue multiple interests in one location.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of experiences, including a 3v3 underground street soccer court, an indoor skate park, an esports gaming lounge equipped with gaming PCs for tournaments, foosball tables, a street art gallery, and a dedicated dance studio for rehearsals and performances.
Beyond sport and recreation, the venue also caters to South Africa’s growing creative economy with professional production facilities that include:
- A photography studio
- Two film studios
- A music recording studio
- A podcast studio
The venue also features changing rooms, showers and lockers, making it practical for active visitors spending the day at the facility.
More than entertainment
The Urban Playground isn’t just about recreation—it has also been created as a collaborative hub where entrepreneurs, creators and communities can connect.
Guests will find a reception and retail area, a coffee shop, merchandise store and a co-working space designed for entrepreneurs and freelancers. Private rooms are also available for meetings, celebrations and private events.
According to Muhammad Varachia, General Manager of Rosebank Mall, the new attraction reflects the mall’s commitment to creating spaces that serve its surrounding community.
He says Rosebank has long been recognised as a centre for culture and creativity, making The Urban Playground a natural extension of that identity. The goal is to provide an inclusive destination where visitors can learn new skills, participate in sport, socialise, enjoy entertainment or simply spend time with people who share similar interests.
Its central location also makes it easily accessible for both local residents and visitors from across Johannesburg.
A place where passions collide
The Urban Playground was founded on the belief that people should not have to choose just one passion.
Creator Adriano Franco explains that many people have multiple creative and sporting interests, and the venue was specifically designed to allow those worlds to exist together.
Instead of separating activities, the venue encourages visitors to explore different talents under one roof—whether that’s combining skateboarding with filmmaking, dancing with gaming, or music with content creation.
Adding further excitement to the launch is media personality Robot Boii, who joins The Urban Playground Rosebank as a strategic partner for the opening of its second location.
Exciting events already on the calendar
The Urban Playground’s launch marks only the beginning of a packed programme of community events.
Upcoming highlights include:
- 15 August 2026: Stage NEON Fist, a girls-only Tekken 8 gaming tournament created by Wasabi.
- 29–30 August 2026: NOTW, a dance and art event.
- 5 September 2026: RE:PLAY Festival, bringing together fighting games, trading card enthusiasts, competitive tournaments, dance and 90s pop culture.
Membership and visitor information
The Urban Playground is located above Incredible Connection or can be accessed via the rooftop entrance on Level 4 at Rosebank Mall.
Operating hours are:
- Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
- Friday – Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
- Sunday & Public Holidays: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Membership packages range from R350 to R750, while daily activity sessions range between R50 and R150, depending on the chosen experience.
With its unique mix of sport, gaming, creativity, entertainment and collaborative spaces, The Urban Playground is set to become one of Johannesburg’s most exciting new lifestyle destinations, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to discover new passions while connecting with a vibrant community.
