Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) business income has risen by 90%.
The Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) described the Morocco-hosted match as essentially the most commercially profitable within the historical past of African soccer.
That is in keeping with data contained in a press release issued by CAF and a Reuters report dated January 16, 2026.
The rise was pushed by stronger media rights distribution, a rising variety of business companions, and CAF’s enlargement into new worldwide markets, notably Asia.
The event highlights AFCON’s rising international profile and displays a broader push by CAF to reposition the match as a commercially aggressive soccer property on the world stage.
“The expansion has been matched by a gentle enlargement of the sponsor portfolio, with the variety of business companions rising from 9 throughout the 2021 match to 17 on the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a press release from African soccer’s controlling physique mentioned.
“For the 2025 version in Morocco, CAF has continued to draw extra companions and now has 23 sponsors.
“This enlargement displays each the attraction of recent international manufacturers and the retention of present companions, for whom the Afcon has been a superb return on funding,” the assertion added.
CAF added that the rise displays each the attraction of recent international manufacturers and the retention of present companions, noting that many sponsors view AFCON as providing a robust return on funding. The physique additionally pointed to broader media rights distribution, together with new broadcast preparations in Asia, as a key contributor to the income surge.
Whereas present figures weren’t disclosed, CAF’s current {financial} disclosures present some context on the match’s {financial} scale. In its {financial} statements offered at its congress final yr, CAF reported incomes $96 million in web contract revenues from the earlier Africa Cup of Nations.
As well as, CAF’s annual report projected that the Morocco-hosted match would generate about $114 million in web revenue.
This projection means that AFCON is turning into an more and more vital income driver for CAF, in comparison with earlier editions that struggled with sponsorship depth and broadcast attain.
The enlargement into new markets has been notably essential. CAF mentioned Asia has emerged as a key development space for media rights, serving to to diversify income streams past Africa and Europe and decreasing reliance on conventional markets.
What it’s best to know
Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles participated within the competitors however didn’t make it to the finals. Regardless, the crew is confirmed to obtain $500,000 from Abdul Samad Rabiu in help of their effort and expertise on the occasion.