CAF postpones launch of AFCON 2025 ticket sales
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the much-anticipated launch of ticket sales for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which was due to begin on Thursday, 25 September.
The opening phase of sales, initially reserved for Visa cardholders, was intended to make 30% of tickets available through CAF’s dedicated online platform ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
This pre-sale was scheduled to precede the general ticket release on 27 September.
However, the plan was halted at the last moment, with reports suggesting technical difficulties prevented the launch from going ahead as planned.
In an official statement, CAF explained: The Confederation of African Football has decided to postpone the opening of the first phase of ticket sales for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 in order to finalize important details that will ensure the best possible experience for fans. CAF is working in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee as well as with various partners, and will announce a new date for the opening of this first phase of sales in due course.
The setback represents a significant disruption in CAF’s carefully designed sales calendar.
According to the original plan, two exclusive pre-sale windows for Visa cardholders were to account for 60% of tickets.
The first was due to begin on 25 September, with a second phase set for 21–23 October.
The final tranche of tickets was to be made available to the wider public from 21 November, completing the process ahead of the continental showpiece.
While CAF has yet to specify a new timeline, the delay will likely heighten anticipation among supporters eager to secure seats for Africa’s biggest football tournament.
The 2025 edition, hosted by Morocco, promises to attract massive demand given the country’s reputation for football passion and its recent success in hosting international sporting events.
The postponement also raises questions about the robustness of CAF’s digital ticketing system, which had been promoted as a streamlined and secure way to handle sales for millions of fans across the continent and beyond.
Ensuring smooth access will be critical, particularly as the tournament is expected to draw large crowds from across Africa and overseas.
For now, CAF has urged patience, stressing its commitment to delivering a fan-friendly process.
With less than four months remaining before the opening match, attention will turn to how quickly the governing body can resolve the outstanding issues and resume ticket sales without further disruption.
The Africa Cup of Nations remains the continent’s most prestigious football competition, and with Morocco set to host in 2025, demand for tickets is expected to far exceed supply once sales eventually open.
