CAF records huge investments growth
Record financial investment by CAF fuels growth, commercial value and visibility for African Club Football with Investment of over USD 48 Million per season on African Clubs
The winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns will receive USD 6 million – this is a jump from almost USD 4 Million to the prize money five years ago.
Such has been the significant increase by the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) in its investment in African football over the last five years.
The funding for CAF Interclubs has increased from USD 19 million in 2021 to USD 48 million in 2026, an increase of 153% since Dr Patrice Motsepe became President.
The growth reflects CAF’s strategic commitment to strengthening the commercial value, competitiveness and global profile of interclub football in Africa, while enhancing financial sustainability for clubs across the continent and allowing more teams to compete in its competitions.
The increase in prize money and solidary payments to Clubs has led to record entry of Clubs in this season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Over the past five years, CAF has implemented a comprehensive transformation programme across its interclub competitions, resulting in substantial increases in prize money, commercial investment and participation by clubs.
The winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League now receive a record USD 6 million, while the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup receive USD 4 million. Financial rewards across all stages of the two competitions have also been significantly enhanced since 2021.
CAF has further introduced solidarity payments to clubs participating in the preliminary stages of interclub competitions, helping offset travel, accommodation and operational costs associated with continental football. The solidarity contribution started with USD 50,000 per club at inception in the 2024/25 season, increasing to USD 100,000 per club in the current campaign.
This investment is already bearing fruit, with a record 62 clubs taking part in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in 2025/26, and 58 clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, also a new high for the competition.
As part of the broader commercial growth strategy, total prize money for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League awarded to teams that reach the group stage and beyond has increased to USD 19.6 million, while the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup prize pool increased million to USD 11.9 million.
The increased investment has contributed to improve competitiveness across CAF interclub competitions, enhanced club professionalism, stronger commercial partnerships and created greater international broadcast visibility for African football.
The approach also affords sustainable economic opportunities for clubs, players, sponsors and broadcast partners across the continent, an strengthens the competitions into the future.
