The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced a sweeping increase in financial rewards across domestic football competitions, unveiling a prize structure worth more than 11 million Egyptian pounds as part of efforts to strengthen competitiveness and support football development at all levels.
The decision comes ahead of next Sunday’s Egypt Cup final between Pyramids FC and ZED FC at Cairo International Stadium, one of the biggest fixtures remaining in the Egyptian football calendar this season.
Under the revised system, the winner of the Egypt Cup will now receive two million Egyptian pounds, while the runners-up will earn one million pounds. The federation believes the increase will provide stronger motivation for clubs while improving the overall competitive environment within domestic football.
The EFA confirmed that the new measures were approved by the federation’s Board of Directors as part of a broader restructuring of financial incentives across both senior and youth competitions.
Beyond the Egypt Cup, the federation has also introduced substantial rewards for clubs earning promotion from the lower divisions. Teams promoted from the second division (A) will each receive one million pounds, with total allocations reaching three million pounds.
Meanwhile, clubs promoted from the second division (B) will each receive 500,000 pounds, bringing the total prize allocation for that category to 1.5 million pounds.
The federation’s latest package places significant emphasis on youth football, reflecting what officials describe as a renewed commitment to player development and grassroots investment.
Financial rewards have been approved for Republic champions in youth categories for players born in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 competing in the first division. Total allocations for those competitions will amount to 500,000 pounds.
Additional funding has also been directed toward youth competitions in the second and third divisions. Republic champions in second division youth tournaments will share 450,000 pounds, while champions in the third division will receive rewards totaling 325,000 pounds.
The federation further expanded support for youth football competitions involving players born in 2007, 2009 and 2011. First division champions in those age categories will benefit from allocations worth 450,000 pounds, while champions in second division (A) and second division (B) will each receive 300,000 pounds.
Sector championship competitions for players born between 2007 and 2012 were also included in the federation’s financial overhaul, with an additional 450,000 pounds allocated to reward success at regional youth level.
The EFA’s announcement represents one of the most ambitious revisions of domestic football prize structures in recent years. By increasing rewards across senior, youth and lower-division competitions, the federation hopes to encourage long-term investment in player development while improving standards throughout Egyptian football.
The timing of the announcement is also significant as Egyptian football authorities continue efforts to modernise local competitions and strengthen pathways for young talent.
With clubs preparing for the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign, the new financial incentives are expected to be welcomed across the football community, particularly among youth academies and lower-division sides that often face financial constraints.
The federation now hopes the revised reward system will not only raise competitiveness on the pitch, but also contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of Egyptian football.
