The stakes in African club football have been raised significantly after Patrice Motsepe announced record prize money for the 2025–26 edition of the CAF Champions League, with the winners set to pocket US$6 million – nearly R100 million.
The announcement by CAF president marks another step in the governing body’s efforts to improve the financial rewards in continental competitions and strengthen the commercial appeal of the tournaments. Under the revised structure, the total prize pool across the Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup has climbed to a record R700m.
Financial Boost for African Club Football
The increase represents a significant rise from previous editions. In 2021, the Champions League winners received $2.5m (around R38m at the time), while the figure rose to $4m (about R75m) in 2024. The latest adjustment now pushes the first prize to $6m, more than doubling the amount paid out just five years ago.
The Confederation Cup has also benefitted from a major financial boost. The winners of Africa’s second-tier club competition will now earn $4m – roughly R66m – a figure that has more than tripled since 2021 when champions collected $1.25m.
Key Dates for the Finals
CAF has also confirmed the key dates for the finals of this season’s competitions. The two-legged Champions League final will be played on May 15 and May 24, while the Confederation Cup final is scheduled to take place between May 9 and May 16.
According to the CAF Champions League Wikipedia page, the competition has undergone several changes over the years to improve its appeal and competitiveness. The increased prize money is expected to attract more top-class teams and players to the tournament.
For South African teams, the increased prize money provides a significant incentive to perform well in the competition. Mamelodi Sundowns, the current champions of the Betway Premiership, are the country’s last remaining representatives in the knockout stages and will face Malian side Stade Malien in the quarterfinals.
- The first leg is scheduled to take place on Friday night at 8pm.
- The return fixture is set for March 22 in Bamako.
With unprecedented prize money now on offer, the race for African club football’s biggest honours has never been more lucrative. The increased financial rewards are expected to have a positive impact on the sport, attracting more investment and talent to the continent.
