AFCON 2025: Champions to receive record $10 million prize as CAF raises stakes

The winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will receive a record prize of 10 million dollars, following a significant increase approved by the Confederation of African Football just ahead of the tournament’s kick-off.

The announcement was made on Saturday by CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe, one day before the opening match of the competition.

Speaking after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat, he confirmed that the financial reward for lifting Africa’s most prestigious international trophy has been raised by 43 per cent compared with the previous edition.

This latest increase marks a notable shift in the economic scale of the Africa Cup of Nations. At the 2023 tournament, which was won by Ivory Coast, the champions received seven million dollars.

The new figure represents the highest prize money ever awarded in the history of the competition and underlines CAF’s intention to enhance the commercial value and global standing of African football.

The decision was taken during an executive committee session held in the Moroccan capital, where senior officials gathered on the eve of the tournament to finalise key administrative and commercial matters.

The timing of the announcement, just hours before the first ball is kicked, has added to the sense of anticipation surrounding the 2025 edition.

CAF has, in recent years, placed increasing emphasis on improving financial returns across its flagship tournaments.

The Africa Cup of Nations, which remains the continent’s most watched sporting event, is central to that strategy.

By raising the winner’s prize, the governing body aims to reward excellence while also strengthening the competition’s appeal to broadcasters, sponsors and investors.

For the teams involved, the increased prize money adds an additional layer of incentive to an already fiercely contested tournament.

National federations often rely on such rewards to support development programmes, infrastructure projects and grassroots initiatives at home.

While sporting glory remains the primary objective, the financial implications of success at AFCON are becoming increasingly significant.

The 2025 tournament arrives at a time when African football continues to push for greater recognition on the global stage.

Many of the continent’s leading players now compete at the highest levels of club football in Europe and beyond, raising expectations for the quality and competitiveness of the international game.

CAF officials have consistently argued that prize money must reflect this progress.

Dr Patrice Motsepe has repeatedly stated his ambition to make CAF competitions among the most attractive and sustainable in world football.

The increase in the AFCON winner’s prize is widely seen as part of that broader vision, which also includes improved organisation, stronger governance and enhanced commercial partnerships.

As the tournament gets under way in Morocco, attention will inevitably focus on the teams and players chasing continental glory.

Yet behind the action on the pitch, the record prize money serves as a clear signal of CAF’s growing confidence and ambition.

For the nation that ultimately lifts the trophy, the reward will be both sporting and financial, marking a new benchmark in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.