Historic boost: CAF raises prize money for African club competitions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant increase in prize money for the winners of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2025-26 season.

In a statement published on its official website, CAF confirmed that the Champions League winners will now receive $6 million, up from $4 million.

The Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million, doubling the previous $2 million reward.

While the champions benefit from the rise, prize money for runners-up and clubs reaching the semi-finals, quarter-finals and group stages remains unchanged.

Under the revised structure, the Champions League runners-up will receive $2 million, with each losing semi-finalist earning $1.2 million.

Clubs eliminated at the quarter-final stage will collect $900,000. Teams finishing third or fourth in their group will take home $700,000, bringing the total prize fund for the competition to $19.6 million.

In the Confederation Cup, the runners-up will receive $1 million.

Losing semi-finalists will each earn $750,000, while quarter-finalists eliminated at that stage will receive $550,000.

Clubs exiting the group phase in third or fourth position will collect $400,000.

The announcement comes as anticipation builds ahead of the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Record title holders Al Ahly SC will travel to face Espérance de Tunis in the first leg of their quarter-final, before hosting the return match in Cairo.

Defending champions Pyramids FC begin their campaign away to FAR Rabat.

Elsewhere, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, last season’s runners-up, will host Stade Malien in the first leg.

Renaissance Berkane will welcome Al-Hilal Omdurman.

The quarter-final ties are scheduled for 13–14 March (first legs) and 20–21 March (second legs).

In the Confederation Cup, Olympique Safi host Wydad Casablanca, while Zamalek SC travel to Congo to face AS Otoho.

Al Masry SC meet CR Belouizdad, and Maniema Union take on USM Alger.

With higher financial rewards on offer, the stakes in African club football have never been greater.