AFCON 2025, Projected to Contribute 66% of CAF 2025/26 Revenue

The Africa Cup of Nations has evolved from a continental football competition into one of Africa’s most powerful sports-economy platforms. For AFCON 2025, total revenues are projected at about $192.6 million, anchored by sponsorships (~$126 million), broadcast rights (~$46 million), and ticketing and hospitality (~$19 million).

With tighter cost controls and stronger commercial partnerships under a reformed CAF, the tournament is expected to generate over $110 million in net profit, positioning AFCON as a core funding engine for African football development.

In the host country, Morocco, AFCON 2025 is estimated to generate roughly $1.2 billion in wider economic activity, driven by 600,000–1 million international visitors and strong domestic travel.

Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, retailers, and informal businesses across host cities have seen a surge in demand. Meanwhile, stadium upgrades and transport investments are designed to deliver long-term value beyond the tournament — though critics argue that public spending priorities and opportunity costs remain a point of debate.

Media and advertising are AFCON’s fastest-growing value streams. The 2025 edition secured record global broadcast distribution, with coverage across 30+ European markets and strong diaspora-driven audiences worldwide.

This reach has lifted advertising rates, sponsorship valuations, and digital engagement, positioning AFCON as a global football property rather than a purely regional event.

Beyond the balance sheet, AFCON’s qualitative value compounds over time. Higher prize money ($32 million total) strengthens national federations, visibility accelerates player and league commercialization, and the tournament projects a modern image of African sport to global audiences.

For Morocco, AFCON is both a tourism catalyst and a strategic rehearsal for future mega-events; for Africa, it underscores how football can function not just as culture and entertainment, but as infrastructure for economic growth, soft power, and continental brand-building.