The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major increase in prize money for its two top club competitions, starting with the 2025/26 season.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major increase in prize money for its two top club competitions, starting with the 2025/26 season.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major increase in prize money for its two top club competitions, starting with the 2025/26 season.

The winner of the CAF Champions League will now receive $6m, up from $4m. The champions of the CAF Confederation Cup will get $4m, double the previous $2m. The new amounts take effect immediately and apply to the current season’s final rounds.

The decision was approved in February by CAF’s Executive Committee and supported by president Patrice Motsepe. CAF said the rise is possible because the organisation has returned to making a profit, thanks to higher TV income and sponsorship deals.

Under the new system, the total prize money for the Champions League will be $19.6m. The Confederation Cup total will be $11.9m.

In the Champions League, the runner-up will receive $2m, semi-finalists $1.2m and quarter-finalists $900,000. Teams finishing third and fourth in the group stage will get $700,000. Clubs knocked out in the early rounds will receive $100,000.

In the Confederation Cup, the runner-up will earn $1m, semi-finalists $750,000 and quarter-finalists $550,000. Teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will receive $400,000, while early exits will get $100,000.

CAF has also doubled the payment for teams eliminated in the preliminary rounds, raising it from $50,000 to $100,000 to help cover travel and other costs.

The new prize structure will apply to teams reaching the March 2026 quarter-finals, including Morocco’s AS FAR and RS Berkane in the Champions League, as well as Wydad AC and Olympic Safi in the Confederation Cup.

CAF said the changes reflect stronger commercial results, including growth in broadcast rights and long-term sponsorships. It has also benefited from revenue linked to the Africa Cup of Nations, especially the edition in Morocco, which has attracted record sponsorship and stands as the most successful football tournament in the history of the continent.

Partners include TotalEnergies, Orange, Puma, Visa, Unilever, Suzuki, Royal Air Maroc and the European Union.

CAF has also expanded its TV reach across more than 30 European countries, with coverage on Channel 4 in the UK and VGTV in Norway.

The body has also launched a digital partnership with Konami to introduce eAFCON on the eFootball platform.

Officials say tighter financial controls, following concerns raised in an audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers, have helped secure the organisation’s return to profit and allowed more money to go back into club football.

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