The most prestigious title on the local auctioneering calendar will be up for grabs at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on 8 June 2026 when the country’s top auctioneers battle it out to be crowned the SAIA Auctioneer of the Year.

The South African Institute of Auctioneers (SAIA) National Auction Championship has been the pinnacle of the profession for decades and has spotlighted the skills of many of the country’s most successful auctioneers. Like winning the Oscars, it remains the most prestigious contest on the local auction calendar.

During the competition the auctioneers will compete in front of peers and industry leaders using their chants to buoy the crowd to fetch the highest bids for a range of goods for which the proceeds will go to charity, the competition is graciously sponsored by Meerkat Online Bidding Platform that powers many of the country’s most loved and used auctioneering platforms. The event will be filled with all the glitz and glamour of such a prestigious event and is the culmination of an action-packed two-day programme that includes the SAIA Conference, Auctioneering Expo, Annual Awards and AGM.

The programme also includes riveting talks and presentations from a number of celebrity guests, local auctioneering legends, as well as a motivational speakers, as well as an inspiring Masterclass by Shane McCarrell (National Auction Association International Auctioneers Championship World Champion) of the United States.

This year’s conference will also tackle some of the hottest topics affecting the local profession with focused sessions that will cover everything from compliance and digital bidding to asset categories and market trends.

The industry Expo will run alongside the event and feature specialist suppliers across auction finance, asset sourcing, compliance services and enabling technologies. In true SAIA tradition, business meets camaraderie, the programme includes a competitive golf day where rivalries move from the auction floor to the fairways presenting valuable information sharing and networking opportunities on the course.

According to SAIA Chief Operations Officer, Sonja Styger, the entire event is aimed at uniting the auction community and showcasing its capabilities and the capabilities of its many suppliers. "Auctioneers still have time to enter and can engage directly with our office to participate in the event or the competition.