Channel 4 wins exclusive rights to Africa Cup of Nations

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and Channel 4 in the UK have agreed a historic media rights agreement that will see the broadcaster become the home of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.

Channel 4 has won exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament, marking the first time it will be available to watch for free in the UK.

The AFCON kicks-off on Sunday 21 December 2025 in Morocco and will see 24 teams contesting 52 matches across nine stadiums. All matches will be live across Channel 4’s network, airing on Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, streaming and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.

CAF general secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba said: “The agreement between CAF and Channel 4 is historic in many ways and it ensures that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will live in each and every household in the UK for the first time in the history of the competition.

“It affirms AFCON’s position as one of the prime and much-sought after assets in global football. On behalf of CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe, I welcome Channel 4 to the CAF family and we look forward to a successful partnership that will deliver growth for both parties.”

Pete Andrews, head of sport, Channel 4, said: “Bringing the excitement and drama of the CAF African Cup of Nations exclusively to UK free-to-air television for the first time is such a compelling proposition for Channel 4. So many Premier League stars will be playing in the tournament and having Liverpool legend Mo Salah on Channel 4 on Boxing Day, when traditional Premier League football coverage has been reduced elsewhere, means football fans will still be able to get their thrill of festive fixtures.”

Channel 4’s coverage of the 35th African Cup of Nations is produced by IMG. The rights deal was facilitated in partnership with IMG, CAF’s international media rights and sponsorship agency.