The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco has not just rewritten the record books on the pitch, but also off it, marking a watershed moment for African football’s global presence, digital engagement, and economic impact. In a year brimming with drama, innovation, and historic change, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set the stage for a bold new era—one that will see the continent’s flagship tournament move to a four-year cycle starting in 2028, and its digital footprint reach unprecedented heights.
On January 28, 2026, CAF’s second vice president, Kurt Okraku, confirmed what many had speculated: the executive council had unanimously agreed to switch the AFCON schedule from its traditional biennial format to a four-year cycle. “We unanimously agreed to switch to a four-year AFCON cycle. The decision was driven by commercial considerations and the need to schedule the competition at a time that would not be worrying to the main actors (players). We also wanted to end clashes with our counterparts from other continents, particularly Europe,” Okraku told Metro TV.
This seismic shift, first announced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe ahead of the 2025 tournament in Morocco, comes after decades of debate. Since 1968, AFCON has been staged every two years, with only a single exception—a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions. The current biennial format will conclude with the 2027 tournament, set to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, before the new era begins in 2028.
The rationale? It’s a cocktail of commercial strategy, scheduling sanity, and a response to mounting pressure from European football authorities and clubs. The last few editions of AFCON have been plagued by rescheduling headaches: the 2021 edition was played in 2022 due to infrastructure delays in Cameroon, while the 2023 tournament was shifted to early 2024 for similar reasons. CAF’s attempt to shift the tournament from its traditional January-February slot to the European summer months met only partial success—only the 2019 Egypt edition was held in June and July, and even then, extreme heat affected play.
But the changes don’t stop there. Motsepe also revealed plans to launch an African Nations League, an annual competition slated to begin in 2029. This move is aimed at keeping African footballers and fans engaged year-round, even as the main AFCON event becomes less frequent. The hope is that the new league will foster talent development, boost commercial revenues, and keep the spirit of continental rivalry alive between the showpiece tournaments.
Meanwhile, the 2025 edition in Morocco has been nothing short of a sensation—both on the field and in the digital arena. According to CAF data released this week, the tournament generated a staggering 6.1 billion digital impressions and 5.2 billion video views across social media platforms, making it the most digitally engaged continental football competition in history. The numbers are eye-popping: 8.5 million new followers, 285 million total engagements, and over one million TikTok videos created under the official tournament hashtag. TikTok, in particular, emerged as the go-to platform for fans, who shared everything from creative goal celebrations to tactical breakdowns and fashion inspired by the championship. “The milestone positions Africa’s flagship football event at the very top of global digital engagement, surpassing every comparable continental tournament in history,” CAF stated in its official report.
This digital explosion wasn’t confined to the continent. Growth was especially pronounced within the African diaspora, as content spread rapidly across borders, languages, and cultures. CAF’s assessment summed it up: “With record-setting numbers and a vibrant online community, the tournament has set a new benchmark for how football in Africa is experienced, shared and celebrated around the world.”
Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025 was a resounding success in economic terms as well. Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour told Spanish news agency EFE that direct revenues exceeded €1.5 billion, enough to fund 80% of the infrastructure needed for the upcoming 2030 World Cup. The tournament’s commercial performance shattered previous records, with revenues increasing by more than 90% compared to the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast. The number of sponsors ballooned from nine in Cameroon 2021 to 23 for Morocco 2025, and broadcasting distribution soared to 111 rights holders worldwide, up from just 38 four years prior.
CAF’s financial figures are equally impressive. Tournament revenues reached $192.6 million, with net profits estimated at $113.8 million—well above the $72 million from the previous edition. Morocco’s projected 20% share of broadcast and sponsorship revenues was initially pegged at $22.5 million, underlining the immense value of hosting.
Attendance records were also smashed, with over 1.25 million spectators packing nine stadiums throughout the competition. The final between Morocco and Senegal drew a crowd of 66,526 to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The event wasn’t just about football; it was a showcase of Morocco’s infrastructure investments, totaling €2.3 billion and including nine new or renovated stadiums, upgraded road networks, airports, and improved services. Mezzour described the impact as “a decade of development in 24 months.”
Employment creation surpassed 100,000 jobs, and commercial consumption spiked by 25-30% during the tournament. Morocco’s appeal as a tourist destination soared, with approximately 600,000 tournament-specific visitors contributing to a record 20 million tourist arrivals in 2025—a 14% increase over the previous year.
On the pitch, the action was just as captivating. Senegal’s Taranga Lions clinched their second AFCON title by defeating the hosts, Morocco, in a hotly contested final. The Atlas Lions, eager to end a 50-year trophy drought on home soil, fell just short, but their journey captured the imagination of fans across the continent. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, meanwhile, secured the bronze medal after a hard-fought victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff.
As the dust settles on a landmark tournament, the future of African football looks brighter than ever. With a four-year AFCON cycle on the horizon, a new Nations League in the works, and record-breaking commercial and digital growth, CAF has signaled its intent to compete with the world’s best—on and off the field. The 2025 edition in Morocco will be remembered not only for its thrilling matches, but for the way it redefined what African football can achieve in the global arena.