AFCON 2025 Sees 61% Growth in Global Viewership

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a remarkable 61% growth in global viewership for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as revealed in preliminary research released on Monday. This growth positions AFCON as one of the fastest-growing sports events worldwide.

The full report, expected from the independent global research agency Nielsen, will be published next week. The tournament, scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, has seen a surge in viewership due to extensive global coverage and security across major media platforms.

Notably, there has been a 50% increase in the number of international broadcast partners, expanding reach to new markets including Japan, China, South Korea, and Mexico. Significant viewership was recorded in South America, with 24 million viewers in Brazil and nearly two million in Mexico.

The report highlights a 35% increase in overall media rights revenue across South America and Europe, showcasing the tournament's growing commercial value.