AFCON 2025 is about to kick off, bringing with it a prize pool worth millions of dollars—one that could redefine the tournament’s financial history. Here’s a look at how Africa’s premier football competition plans to allocate its monetary rewards.
AFCON 2025 begins on December 21: football, history, and massive stakes
The Africa Cup of Nations returns on December 21, with all matches available exclusively on beIN SPORTS. The tournament not only assembles the continent’s strongest national teams but also boasts one of the most lucrative financial structures in African football history.
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Since Patrice Motsepe assumed the CAF presidency, the economic impact of AFCON has been clear. Already a powerhouse in sporting terms, the competition now operates on a financial level that positions it among the world’s elite tournaments. The numbers speak for themselves.
The African champion: record-breaking rewards for the top team
The AFCON 2025 winner will take home $7 million—a notable increase over previous editions. But that figure is just the start: a team progressing through every stage of the tournament can earn up to $11.6 million when including stage-by-stage bonuses.
AFCON 2025 Prize Money
- Champion: $7 million
- Runner-up: $4 million
- Semifinalists: $2.5 million each
- Quarterfinalists: $1.3 million each
- Round of 16: $800,000
- Best third-placed teams: $700,000
- Fourth place in each group: $500,000
In total, CAF will distribute $32 million throughout AFCON 2025—an economic boost set to benefit both established national teams and developing football projects across Africa.
How does AFCON stack up against other global tournaments?
While AFCON leads several continental competitions in terms of sporting prestige, financially it sits in the middle range. It comfortably surpasses the Gold Cup, Asian Cup, and Oceania Nations Cup, all of which feature much smaller prize pools—the Gold Cup champion, for instance, receives only $1 million.
Yet AFCON still falls short of the two major global economic leaders:
- Copa América 2024: awarded $16 million to the champion
- UEFA Euro: the wealthiest continental tournament, with a total prize pool of €331 million, including up to €28.25 million for the winning team
The Arab Cup, now FIFA-backed, also slightly exceeded AFCON with a €31-million prize fund.
Despite this, AFCON remains the most financially generous competition in Africa—a key platform supporting the growth of national teams and football federations.
A tournament played on the pitch… and in the financial arena
AFCON 2025 promises not only world-class football but also an unprecedented financial boost for participating nations. Morocco will host battles that go beyond history and glory—offering rewards capable of transforming any federation.
And fans won’t miss a single moment: every match, every upset, and every celebration can be watched live starting December 21, exclusively on beIN SPORTS.
