Just In: CAF Increases AFCON 2025 prize Money

Following the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting this morning, there’s been an upward shift in the prize money structure for the continent’s flagship competition (AFCON) which has been established at USD 10 million dollars. This shift marks a steady and strategic increase aimed at making African football even more financially self-sustaining.

While the winning team in previous cycles received smaller sums, the purse which recently skyrocketed to $7 million in 2023 for the champions, with the runners-up   receiving $4 million, has again increased.

This represents a massive leap in value, and with the 2025 tournament in Morocco, President Motsepe has signaled that the growth will not stop there. The target for the winner’s prize has moved to the $10 million mark, a figure that would further cement AFCON’s status as one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world.

In terms of financial rewards, AFCON has now reached a tier where it rivalries the world’s elite continental competitions. It currently stands as one of the only tournaments that equals or begins to close the gap with the UEFA European Championship and the Copa América. This financial muscle ensures that the “Giants of Africa” are rewarded at a level that reflects the immense global viewership and commercial appeal the tournament now commands.

The financial windfall is not limited to national teams. The CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup have also seen their prize pools increased to support the professionalization of African club football. Although the specific details of these newest club increments have been finalized, President Motsepe has indicated that he will wait until January to officially announce the exact figures. This deliberate timing allows the focus to remain on the ongoing AFCON festivities while building anticipation for the club season in the new year.

By prioritizing these financial increases, the current CAF administration is ensuring that the wealth generated by African football is reinvested directly into the teams, players, and member associations that drive the game’s success. As the 2025 edition kicks off, the message from CAF is clear: African football is no longer just a sporting spectacle, but a thriving and powerful economic engine.