Gauteng has pulled off a major coup by securing the rights to host Soccerex for three years leading up to the 2010 World Cup.
The exhibition attracts the cream of the world's football industry.
It is regarded as the best forum to network, collaborate and do business with suppliers, manufacturers and key players in the multibillion-rand global football industry.
About R5-billion worth of football business was signed off at 2005's expo in Dubai.
Soccerex has been held in Dubai for the past five years and will again be held there from November 26-28, with more than 3 000 delegates and 250 exhibitors expected from more than 75 countries.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Roma, AC Milan and Inter Milan, Rangers and Celtic are among the regular visitors and exhibitors.
This year's Soccerex will see the legends of Liverpool's team of the 1980s renewing their rivalry with Manchester United in a five-a-side tournament. An international beach soccer event will also be held.
Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Barbara Creecy was today due to announce the details of the contract which will see Johannesburg host Soccerex from 2007.
The Sandton Convention Centre is likely to be the venue for the expo.
According to the Soccerex website, "rapid changes in the media landscape, the evolution of sponsorship strategies, the need for clubs to establish new revenue streams, and the ever-growing demand for professional services and cutting-edge products makes Soccerex the perfect place to learn, network and do business with companies all over the world".
In addition to the wheeling and dealing at the expo, Fifa will also address some of the biggest issues on the field of play - thorny issues such as goal-line technology, agents, player fitness and drug monitoring.
Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs Paul Mashatile said Soccerex "is major exposure for Gauteng as the home of competitive sport".
"The business of football is a major boost to economies. Hosting Soccerex in Gauteng is part of efforts to accelerate growth in the province and is a major thing for us.
"We estimate more than 3 000 people from the soccer fraternity will be coming to the expo. It will also boost our tourism industry in a big way, with people travelling from all over the world to be here," said Mashatile.
"It will put Gauteng nicely on the map. With us hosting the 2010 World Cup, in a sense all eyes are on South Africa, and once we have events of this nature, it increases the exposure of our country."
Soccerex officials are expected for meetings in Johannesburg this week.
Top sporting personalities polled were unanimous in their support of Soccerex.
"In two days you can touch the world of football." - Peter Kenyon, CEO of Chelsea FC.
"It's a great opportunity to meet a lot of people in the business, listen to different ideas and share valuable experiences." - Umberto Gandini, organising director, AC Milan.
"I'd go as far as saying probably the best networking event I've been to." - Stephen Hall, head of sponsorship, McDonald's
"We have to know what's going on; have to be at the sharp edge of it all. We need to be part of it." - David Dein, vice-chairperson, Arsenal FC.
"There is no better platform than Soccerex... it provides a forum for networking... and facilitates the exchange between Asian and international entities to increase the exposure of Asian football worldwide." Mohammed Bin Hammam, Asian Football Confederation president.
"I really enjoyed Soccerex. It was a great networking opportunity for me and the presentations were enlightening. I look forward to working with Soccerex in the future." - Ellen Healy, director, sports and music, PepsiCo.
"We have always come to Soccerex and always will." - Danny Jordaan, CEO of 2010 World Cup Organising Committee.
"Soccerex is an important addition in our bidding portfolio." - Lord Sebastian Coe, chairperson, London 2012.
"It was important for Chelsea to attend Soccerex as we build our brand globally and develop commercial partnerships all over the world." - Paul Smith, director, Chelsea FC.
"Soccerex was a great opportunity to showcase beach soccer to the global football industry." - Eric Cantona, former Manchester United star.
"Siemens considers Soccerex to be a great venture where we can present leading-edge solutions and services for sports and events." - Thomas Brodocz, managing director, Siemens.
"One of the reasons we attend is to ensure we become a global brand." - Kaizer Motaung, chairperson, Kaizer Chiefs.
"When football meets the economy and football meets media, it is Soccerex." - Joseph S Blatter, Fifa president.