Emperors Palace
Overview & Capacity
Five minutes from OR Tambo, Emperors Palace wins on fly-in logistics alone. Centre Court is a flexible 2500-cap space, and delegates get four on-site hotels, a casino, theatres, restaurants, and entertainment - they can arrive, conference, and celebrate without ever leaving. B&W runs multi-day international conferences here regularly because the ecosystem simply removes friction.
The Story Behind Emperors Palace
The facts most venue listings never tell you — researched and source-checked by B&W Productions.
From Caesars to Emperors — and the history underneath
Emperors Palace opened on 13 September 2000 as 'Caesars Gauteng,' a R1.3-billion Vegas-designed resort. When Peermont bought out Caesars in 2005 and lost the trademark, the R26-million rebrand to Emperors Palace followed. But the most significant fact about this venue has nothing to do with gambling: it stands on the site of the Kempton Park World Trade Centre, where the CODESA talks that negotiated the end of apartheid began in December 1991 — the resort preserves a 'CODESA Walkway' on the original negotiation floor.
Scale
3,349 slot machines, 152 tables, 1,636 hotel rooms, and 29 event venues all named from Roman mythology. The Centre Court arena spans 2,698 m² and seats 3,000 cinema-style. For an event producer, the scale is the value — there are very few single addresses in Gauteng that can absorb a 3,000-person event with on-site accommodation, multiple breakout rooms and full F&B infrastructure.
Famous moments
Emperors Palace is a boxing institution: Hekkie Budler defended his WBA world title here in 2015, and Kevin Lerena won a WBC world title here in November 2023 with Lennox Lewis at ringside. The venue has also hosted major poker tournaments, comedy festivals, and corporate awards across its 29 rooms.
The day the armoured car came through the wall
In June 1993, while the World Trade Centre was still in use for multi-party negotiations, 3,000 armed right-wingers stormed the building, driving an armoured vehicle through its glass front. The negotiations continued. That story — the building where South Africa's democracy was negotiated under the threat of force, now a casino resort that preserves the walkway — is one of the most extraordinary venue histories in the world.
Things you didn't know
A common myth places CODESA at Gallagher Estate in Midrand — it didn't. The negotiations happened at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park, on the site now occupied by Emperors Palace. The resort is also the closest major entertainment complex to OR Tambo International Airport, which makes it the default for delegates arriving by air.
Right now
Sun International's R7.3-billion takeover of Peermont collapsed in July 2025 over regulatory delays — Emperors stays with Peermont. The venue continues to operate as one of Gauteng's primary large-format event addresses, with the airport proximity and on-site accommodation making it particularly strong for national conferences.
B&W Production Notes
- 3-phase power
- load-in via Centre Court
- rigging capability
The international-delegate default. Ecosystem removes so much friction it's hard to beat for fly-in events.
Suitable For
What we like
- 5 min from OR Tambo - fly-in delegate dream
- Full ecosystem - 4 hotels, casino, F&B, entertainment
- Strong events team running major shows weekly
- 4.4 rating across 41000+ reviews
- Excellent for multi-day conferences with entertainment bolt-ons
What to confirm
- Casino/Vegas aesthetic suitability for the brand
- Kempton Park 'prestige' perception vs. Sandton for local delegates
- In-house AV + F&B flexibility for external suppliers
- Room selection to minimise casino floor noise
Real Google Rating
- Wide variety of restaurant options
- Helpful and friendly staff members
- Clean and well-maintained event facilities
- Slow service at bars and restaurants during peak times
- Parking can be limited during major events
Amenities & Facilities
Quick Facts
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Frequently asked questions
Q.How many guests can Emperors Palace accommodate?
Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni caters for events from around 10 up to 3000 guests, depending on your layout and the spaces you book. Our team confirms the exact capacity for your event type when we handle your enquiry.
Q.Where is Emperors Palace located?
Emperors Palace is located in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. B&W Productions arranges full event production here, from AV and staging to décor and catering coordination.
Q.How much does it cost to hire Emperors Palace?
R700-R1800. Pricing varies with your date, guest numbers and inclusions, so confirm current rates when you enquire — B&W Productions can put together a full costed proposal for your event.
Q.Does Emperors Palace offer catering and accommodation?
Catering — Yes (Peermont group). Accommodation — Yes - 4 hotels on property.
Q.What types of events is Emperors Palace best suited to?
Emperors Palace works well for International conferences, incentive events, gala dinners, awards evenings, multi-day corporate. The international-delegate default. Ecosystem removes so much friction it's hard to beat for fly-in events.
Planning an event in Johannesburg? Explore B&W Productions event services in Johannesburg
Nearby Venues
Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre
Inanda Club (incl. The Polo Room)
Sandton Sun & Towers
Sandton Convention Centre
Constitution Hill
