Morocco's AFCON 2025 Revenue Jumps 90% in Historic Win

African football just proved it belongs on the world stage, and the numbers tell an incredible story.

The Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco this year generated 90% more revenue than any previous tournament in the competition's history. The Confederation of African Football announced the record-breaking figures, marking a turning point for the sport across the continent.

The growth didn't happen overnight. After the 2023 tournament in Côte d'Ivoire, CAF studied audience data and discovered untapped interest in markets they'd barely reached before.

They rebuilt their entire approach from the ground up. The strategy focused on high-energy markets like China, Japan, Brazil, and major European cities while strengthening their existing African base.

The results speak for themselves. CAF partnered with just nine sponsors during the 2021 tournament in Cameroon. That number jumped to 17 in 2023, then soared to a record 23 partners for Morocco 2025.

These weren't just African companies either. Sponsors came from eight different countries including the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Even the European Union joined as a sponsor, showing how far AFCON's international reputation has grown.

Long-time supporters like TotalEnergies, Orange, Visa, and Puma stayed committed. Major brands including Danone and Unilever renewed their partnerships, betting on African football's rising star.

The Ripple Effect

The commercial success means more than impressive spreadsheets. Higher revenues translate directly into better training facilities, youth development programs, and infrastructure across African nations.

For the first time ever, AFCON entered the esports world through a partnership with Konami's eFootball game. The move opens doors to younger fans and the rapidly growing gaming community, ensuring the next generation stays connected to African football.

CAF plans to weave these digital platforms into all future tournaments. The approach recognizes that modern sports success requires meeting fans where they already spend their time.

The Morocco tournament proved African football can compete with any sporting event worldwide for attention, investment, and global reach.