AFCON Morocco 2025 delivers 61% viewership growth, boosts global media value
The United Kingdom and France emerged as the top contributors to the growth, with the AFCON Final in the UK alone drawing over three million viewers on Channel 4.
Preliminary data from independent research agencies has revealed a remarkable 61% growth in global viewership for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, signaling that the tournament is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sporting events worldwide. The full report, compiled by the global research agency Nielsen, is expected in the coming weeks.
This unprecedented surge in audience numbers is largely attributed to record-breaking global media coverage across key territories, particularly in Europe. The United Kingdom and France emerged as the top contributors to the growth, with the AFCON Final in the UK alone drawing over three million viewers on Channel 4. Germany also set a new benchmark with a tournament reach exceeding four million viewers.
CAF’s strategic commercial partnership with IMG, the global sports marketing agency, helped expand broadcast distribution by 50%, bringing AFCON to new markets including Japan, China, South Korea, Mexico, Greece, and Colombia. In South America, Brazil recorded over 24 million viewers, while Mexico contributed nearly two million, underscoring CAF’s success in consolidating existing audiences and attracting new ones.
CAF’s in-house media strategy, which included shoulder content production and highlight distribution, delivered a 65% rise in media exposure for brand partners across Europe and South America. Other notable figures include:
- 50% increase in international broadcast partners since AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire
- 32% uplift in media value for partners in Europe
- 35% increase in overall media rights revenue across South America, Europe, and Asia
- 800,000 viewers in India via streaming on FanCode, marking a strong debut for AFCON in the country
New broadcast deals were secured in Japan (DAZN), South Korea (NAVER, STN), China (Douyin, Leisu, Zhibo8), Mexico (Fox, Claro Sports), Spain (Movistar), Colombia (Win Sports), Greece (ERT), Norway (VG), Cyprus (Cablenet), and the Maldives (Medianet), making AFCON Morocco 2025 the most widely distributed edition in the tournament’s history.
CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba described the results as “a landmark achievement for African football,” highlighting how the tournament’s expanding global reach is not only promoting the sport but also providing significant commercial opportunities for partners worldwide.
With viewership skyrocketing across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, AFCON Morocco 2025 has firmly established itself as a global sporting spectacle, demonstrating that African football is commanding attention on the world stage like never before.
