The winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns will receive a record USD 6 million in prize money, underlining the rapid financial growth of African club football under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe.
The increase marks a significant rise from the nearly USD 4 million awarded to Champions League winners five years ago and forms part of a broader investment strategy by the Confederation of African Football aimed at transforming the commercial and competitive landscape of the continent’s club game.
CAF says total funding for its interclub competitions has climbed from USD 19 million in 2021 to USD 48 million in 2026, representing a 153% increase since Motsepe assumed the presidency.
The governing body believes the expanded financial support is helping to improve competitiveness, professionalism and long-term sustainability for clubs across Africa, while also raising the international profile of its competitions.
The announcement comes as African club football continues to enjoy unprecedented global visibility. This season’s CAF Champions League final in Rabat, Morocco will be broadcast in more than 100 territories worldwide, including first-time live coverage in Japan, South Korea and China through DAZN. In the United Kingdom, the final will also be shown free-to-air for the first time on Channel 4 and its digital platforms.
CAF has also increased prize money in the CAF Confederation Cup, with winners now set to receive USD 4 million. Financial support has been extended to clubs in the preliminary rounds through solidarity payments designed to ease operational and travel expenses.
Those solidarity payments doubled from USD 50,000 in the 2024/25 campaign to USD 100,000 this season, a move CAF says is intended to help clubs remain financially competitive throughout continental participation.
The increased investment has coincided with record participation figures in CAF competitions. This season, 62 clubs competed in the CAF Champions League, while 58 teams featured in the CAF Confederation Cup, reflecting growing interest and improved organisational structures across the continent.
CAF added that the expanded funding model has strengthened commercial partnerships, increased broadcast exposure and contributed to higher standards both on and off the pitch.
The governing body sees the latest growth as part of a wider effort to position African club football among the most commercially attractive and globally visible competitions in the world.
