The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football, Patrice Motsepe, has announced a major increase in prize money for Africa’s top club competitions ahead of the 2025/26 season.
In a statement released on Monday, under the new structure, the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will now receive $6 million, following a $2 million increase in the prize pool. This represents a 50 percent rise from the previous reward.
Similarly, the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will earn $4 million, after CAF approved an additional $2 million increase, effectively doubling the previous prize money.
Since Motsepe assumed office as CAF President, prize money for Africa’s premier club tournaments has seen significant growth.
The CAF Champions League winner’s reward has increased from $2.5 million in 2021 to $6 million in 2026, marking a 140 percent rise.
Meanwhile, the Confederation Cup prize has climbed from $1.25 million in 2021 to $4 million in 2026, representing a 220 percent increase.
With these adjustments, the total prize money and solidarity payments distributed to African clubs will exceed $42 million per season, more than double the $18.8 million allocated in 2021.
CAF has also continued its policy of providing financial support to clubs eliminated in the early stages of the competitions. In 2024, teams knocked out in the preliminary rounds of both tournaments were awarded $50,000 each.
That amount was increased to $100,000 per club for the 2025/26 campaign.
The enhanced financial incentives have contributed to record participation, with 130 clubs across Africa entering the Champions League and Confederation Cup this season.
The finals of the two competitions will be played over two legs:
- CAF Champions League Final: May 15 and May 24, 2026
- CAF Confederation Cup Final: May 9 and May 16, 2026
CAF says the increased prize money is part of its broader effort to strengthen African club football and make it more competitive on the global stage.
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