Sport – Creator

AFCON Commercial Revenue Jumps 90% as CAF Records Most Profitable Tournament Yet

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.

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BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu Pledges $1.5 Million Incentive for Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 Glory

Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced a substantial cash incentive package worth up to $1.5 million for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they push for continental success at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON).

The billionaire industrialist disclosed the pledge on Saturday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, shortly after Nigeria secured a convincing 2–0 victory over Algeria national football team in the quarter-finals of the tournament. The win, which took place in Marrakech, sealed Nigeria’s place in the semi-finals and set up a high-profile clash against host nation Morocco.

According to Rabiu, the incentive package is designed to motivate the players and technical crew as they edge closer to lifting the AFCON trophy. He pledged an immediate bonus of $500,000 should the Super Eagles overcome Morocco in the semi-final and secure a place in the final. Beyond that, he promised an even larger reward if the team goes on to win the tournament.

In his message, Rabiu praised the players for their discipline, resilience, and commitment, noting that their performances have lifted national morale and united Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. “To encourage you, I pledge USD $500,000 to the players upon winning the semi-final, with an additional USD $50,000 for every goal scored,” he wrote.

The BUA chairman added that the stakes would be significantly higher in the final. “Should you go on to win the final, I further pledge USD $1,000,000, plus USD $100,000 for each goal scored in the final,” Rabiu stated. Combined, the incentives could see the Super Eagles earn up to $1.5 million in bonuses, excluding goal-based add-ons.

Rabiu’s announcement has been widely welcomed by football fans and sports analysts, many of whom see it as a morale booster at a critical stage of the competition. Private-sector support for Nigerian sports, particularly football, has historically played an important role in motivating national teams during major tournaments.

The Super Eagles’ quarter-final triumph over Algeria was sealed by second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, extending Nigeria’s unbeaten run at AFCON 2025 to five matches and maintaining a flawless record in the tournament so far. The result reinforced Nigeria’s status as one of the strongest teams in the competition and heightened expectations ahead of the semi-final.

President Bola Tinubu also joined in applauding the team’s progress. In a post on his official X handle, the President described the performance against Algeria as “brilliant” and reassured the players of the nation’s full support. “Go, Super Eagles! You have the support of all Nigerians,” Tinubu wrote, echoing the widespread optimism surrounding the team’s campaign.

The President’s message came against the backdrop of earlier concerns over players’ welfare and bonuses. Prior to the quarter-final, reports emerged that the Super Eagles had threatened to boycott training sessions and protest travel arrangements over unpaid allowances. However, the issue was swiftly resolved following the intervention of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, later confirmed that President Tinubu had approved the entire AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025. He explained that the approval aligned all stakeholders, including the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), ensuring that players’ entitlements and logistical arrangements were fully covered.

As the Super Eagles prepare to face Morocco in a tense semi-final, expectations are high that the blend of government backing, private-sector incentives, and on-field momentum could propel Nigeria toward a fourth AFCON title. For millions of Nigerians, Rabiu’s pledge symbolizes both confidence in the team and the unifying power of football at a moment of national pride.