African Football Cup Revenue Surges 90% in 2025

African football just scored a historic win off the field that could change the game forever.

The Confederation of African Football announced that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco became the most commercially successful tournament in African football history. Revenue jumped more than 90% compared to previous editions, marking a turning point for the sport across the continent.

The numbers tell an impressive story of growth. In 2021, the tournament attracted nine commercial partners. By 2023, that number nearly doubled to 17 sponsors.

This year's Morocco edition brought in 23 sponsors from around the globe. Brands from the United States, China, Germany, Japan, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and the European Union all invested in African football's premier competition.

The surge didn't happen by accident. After the 2023 tournament in Côte d'Ivoire, CAF conducted detailed audience research that revealed something exciting: millions of potential fans in untapped markets were hungry for African football.

Armed with that data, CAF strategically targeted regions showing high engagement levels. The focus on China, Japan, Brazil, and key European markets paid off with expanded media rights distribution and new partnerships.

Long-standing partners like TotalEnergies, Orange, Visa, Tecno, and Puma renewed their commitments. Major global brands including Danone and Unilever also signed on, drawn by what CAF calls "an excellent return on investment."

The Ripple Effect

This financial breakthrough means more than impressive numbers on a spreadsheet. The revenue surge enables CAF to invest more in grassroots development, improve facilities, and provide better support for players across the continent.

When African football thrives commercially, young athletes gain more opportunities to showcase their talents on the world stage. The increased global attention opens doors for players, creates jobs in sports media and management, and builds infrastructure that benefits communities hosting matches.

The tournament's expansion into Asian markets particularly matters. As hundreds of millions of new fans discover African football, they're also discovering African culture, stories, and talent that have been underrepresented in global sports coverage.

Existing sponsors returning year after year proves the tournament delivers real value, creating a sustainable model that can fund African football's growth for decades to come.

African football is claiming its rightful place on the world stage, one sponsor and one new fan at a time.