Early data puts AFCON Morocco 2025 international audiences up 61% as CAF expands broadcast reach

Early research commissioned by CAF indicates audiences across European, Asian and South American markets for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 rose 61%, with the confederation positioning the tournament as a growing global football media property ahead of a full Nielsen report due in the coming weeks.CAF said the uplift was driven by wider coverage across established broadcast markets and new distribution agreements, highlighting the UK and France as the biggest contributors to the European increase.The confederation said: “These early figures underline the growing global appeal of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the increasing value it delivers to our broadcast and commercial partners.”CAF credited its commercial partnership with IMG with delivering a 50% increase in the number of international broadcast partners versus the 2023 edition, supporting what it described as its most widely distributed AFCON to date.CAF said it secured first-time broadcast agreements in Japan, China, South Korea, Mexico, Greece and Colombia, alongside renewals and expanded deals in other territories, in a strategy designed to increase reach while improving visibility for sponsors across linear and digital platforms.In South America, CAF said Brazil remained a key growth engine, with more than 24 million viewers watching AFCON coverage, while Mexico delivered almost two million viewers.CAF also highlighted sponsor outcomes, saying broader media distribution and complementary shoulder content helped generate a 65% increase in media exposure for brand partners in European and South American markets.On the commercial side, CAF said the expanded footprint supported a 32% uplift in media value for partners in Europe and a 35% increase in overall media rights revenue across South America, Europe and Asian markets.In Europe, CAF cited the UK final drawing more than three million viewers on Channel 4 and said Germany produced an all-time tournament high with a reach of more than four million viewers.CAF pointed to India as an emerging market, saying FanCode streamed matches and attracted more than 800,000 viewers, which it described as a strong first-time audience.CAF listed a range of broadcast partners and platforms involved in its distribution strategy, including DAZN in Japan, digital outlets in China, NAVER and STN in South Korea, Fox and Claro Sports in Mexico, Movistar in Spain, Win Sports in Colombia, ERT in Greece, VG in Norway, Cablenet in Cyprus and Medianet in the Maldives.