African Soccer Prize Money Doubles for Top Clubs

The Confederation of African Football just made its biggest investment ever in club soccer, doubling prize money for winners and creating new opportunities for teams across the continent.

Starting this season, the CAF Champions League winner will receive $6 million, up from $4 million. That's a 50 percent jump that puts more resources directly into African clubs. The CAF Confederation Cup winner's prize doubled even more dramatically, leaping from $2 million to $4 million.

The increases affect every level of competition, not just the champions. Runner-up teams, semifinalists, and even clubs eliminated in early rounds will see bigger payouts. The smallest teams now receive $100,000 just for participating, double the previous amount, helping cover travel and organizational costs that often strain budgets.

Four Moroccan clubs currently competing in the quarterfinals will benefit immediately: AS FAR and RS Berkane in the Champions League, plus Wydad and Olympic Safi in the Confederation Cup. All teams still in either competition will play under the new, more generous prize structure.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and the Executive Committee approved the changes in February, making them effective right away for the 2025/26 season. The total prize pool now reaches $19.6 million for the Champions League and $11.9 million for the Confederation Cup.

The Ripple Effect

This financial boost arrives because African soccer is finally turning a profit. Growing television rights deals and sponsorship revenue gave CAF the financial strength to reinvest in the game. That creates a positive cycle: better prize money attracts better players, which draws more viewers, which brings more sponsorship dollars.

Smaller clubs across Africa particularly benefit from the doubled participation grants. Teams from countries with less developed soccer infrastructure can now better afford the flights, hotels, and logistics required to compete continentwide. That levels the playing field and gives more communities a chance to see their local heroes compete on the biggest stage.

The investment signals CAF's commitment to making African club competitions truly competitive with leagues on other continents. As more money flows to clubs, they can retain talented players who might otherwise leave for European teams, keeping African soccer vibrant and exciting for local fans.

African club soccer just became a stronger business and a better spectacle all at once.