The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made headlines with a significant announcement regarding the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), revealing a substantial increase in prize money for the tournament. The winner of CHAN 2024, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30, 2025, will now receive a record-breaking $3.5 million, marking a 75% increase from the $2 million awarded to the previous edition’s champion, Senegal, in 2023.
This development is part of a broader financial overhaul, with the total prize pool for the tournament rising by 32% to $10.4 million, up from $7.9 million in the last edition held in Algeria. The move underscores CAF’s commitment to elevating the profile of African football and fostering the growth of domestic talent across the continent.
The enhanced prize structure extends beyond the winner. The runner-up will earn $1.2 million, while the third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $700,000 and $600,000, respectively. Losing quarter-finalists are set to pocket $450,000 each, teams finishing third in their group will earn $300,000, and even those at the bottom of their groups will take home $200,000.
This tiered system ensures that all participating teams benefit financially, providing a significant boost to national football federations and their domestic leagues. For instance, Kenya’s Harambee Stars, as a host nation, are guaranteed at least $200,000 for their participation, with the potential for higher earnings if they advance beyond the group stage.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe emphasized the strategic importance of this financial uplift, stating that the increased prize money aligns with the organization’s vision to transform African football commercially and competitively.
He highlighted CHAN’s role as a vital platform for showcasing homegrown talent, as the tournament exclusively features players who compete in their respective countries’ domestic leagues.
This focus on local players distinguishes CHAN from other CAF competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), making it a critical avenue for developing and promoting Africa-based footballers.
Motsepe noted that the financial incentives are designed to make the tournament more appealing to fans, sponsors, and global broadcasters, thereby enhancing its global competitiveness and visibility.
The 2024 CHAN, the eighth edition of the biennial tournament, will see 19 teams compete across three host nations, a historic first for the event. Kenya will make its CHAN debut, while Uganda participates in its sixth edition and Tanzania its third.
The tournament’s group stage draw, conducted on January 15, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, placed the host nations in challenging groups alongside powerhouses like defending champions Senegal, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The increased prize money has raised the stakes, with teams like Nigeria’s Super Eagles, coached by Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, eyeing the $3.5 million top prize as a transformative opportunity for their domestic football programs.
This financial boost positions CHAN as the third-highest-earning CAF competition, trailing only the AFCON ($7 million for the winner) and the CAF Champions League ($4 million).
The increased investment reflects CAF’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic leagues and elevate African football’s global standing, with preparations for future tournaments like AFCON 2025 also influencing the financial stakes.
The tournament’s new trophy, unveiled during the draw, features 54 intricate lines symbolizing Africa’s unity, further underscoring CHAN’s growing prestige.
