The 37th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has set new global viewership records, with preliminary data showing a dramatic surge in international audiences for the continent’s flagship football competition.
According to initial figures from independent research agencies, global viewership for the tournament rose by 61 percent, highlighting the rapid growth of the competition as one of the world’s fastest-expanding sporting events.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the increase was driven by unprecedented international media coverage and a significantly expanded broadcast network. A full report compiled by global research firm Nielsen is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Broadcast expansion fuels global reach
CAF credited its partnership with sports marketing agency IMG for securing a 50 percent increase in broadcast partners compared with the 2023 edition hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.
The expanded network enabled the tournament to secure new television deals in markets such as Japan, China, South Korea, Mexico, Greece, Colombia, Spain, Norway, Cyprus and the Maldives, making the Morocco-hosted edition the most widely distributed in the tournament’s history.
Audience growth was particularly strong in United Kingdom and France, which emerged as key drivers of the international viewing surge.
Strong audiences across continents
The tournament attracted substantial audiences beyond its traditional African and European fan bases. In Brazil, more than 24 million viewers tuned in during the competition, while nearly two million viewers followed the matches in Mexico.
In Europe, the final drew over three million viewers in the United Kingdom on Channel 4, while more than four million watched in Germany through Sportdigital.
In India, the final attracted more than 800,000 viewers on FanCode, marking a notable entry for the tournament into the South Asian market.
Growing commercial impact
CAF also reported a 65 percent increase in media exposure for brand partners in Europe and South America, attributing the growth to its expanded global distribution strategy and increased digital content production.
The strong viewership figures are expected to further strengthen AFCON’s commercial value and global appeal as the tournament continues to expand its footprint beyond traditional football markets.
