Commercial revenue generated from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has surged by 90%, marking a major financial milestone for the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The football governing body described the Morocco-hosted tournament as the most commercially successful edition in the history of African football.
The disclosure was made in a statement released by CAF and corroborated by a Reuters report dated January 16, 2026. According to the federation, the sharp rise in revenue was driven by stronger media rights distribution, a growing roster of commercial partners, and a deliberate expansion into new international markets, particularly Asia.
The performance underscores AFCON’s rising global profile and reflects CAF’s broader strategy to reposition the tournament as a commercially competitive football property capable of rivaling major continental competitions worldwide.
Sponsorship base expands significantly
CAF attributed much of the revenue growth to a rapid expansion in its sponsor portfolio. During the 2021 edition of the tournament, AFCON had nine commercial partners. This number rose sharply to 17 sponsors for the 2023 finals hosted in Ivory Coast.
For the 2025 edition in Morocco, the federation disclosed that it has secured 23 sponsors, highlighting growing confidence among global brands in the tournament’s commercial value.
“The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio,” CAF said, noting that the increase reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners. According to the body, many sponsors now see AFCON as offering a strong return on investment, reinforcing its appeal as a premium sports marketing platform.
Media rights and Asia drive revenue growth
Beyond sponsorships, broader media rights distribution played a key role in boosting revenue. CAF pointed to new broadcast arrangements, particularly in Asian markets, as a major contributor to the commercial uplift.
By expanding its footprint beyond traditional African and European audiences, AFCON has diversified its revenue streams and reduced dependence on legacy markets. CAF said Asia has emerged as a critical growth region, helping to enhance the tournament’s global visibility and financial resilience.
Financial context shows growing profitability
While CAF did not disclose the exact revenue figures for the most recent tournament, its recent financial disclosures provide insight into AFCON’s expanding scale. Financial statements presented at CAF’s congress last year showed that the previous Africa Cup of Nations generated about $96 million in net contract revenues.
In addition, CAF’s annual report projected that the Morocco-hosted tournament would deliver approximately $114 million in net profit. This marks a significant improvement compared to earlier editions, which often struggled with limited sponsorship depth and narrower broadcast reach.
The projections reinforce AFCON’s status as CAF’s most important commercial asset and a key driver of its financial sustainability.
What you should know
AFCON remains CAF’s flagship competition and primary revenue generator.
The 2023 Ivory Coast tournament marked a turning point in sponsorship interest and commercial scale.
CAF is actively targeting new global sponsors and broadcasters, with Asia playing a central role in its expansion strategy.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles participated in the competition but did not reach the final. Despite this, billionaire businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu has confirmed a $500,000 financial reward for the team in recognition of their performance and effort at the tournament.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
