The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the governing body for African soccer, has awarded media rights to several broadcasters across sub-Saharan Africa for its intercontinental competitions in the 2024-25 season. The rights encompass the top-tier CAF Champions League matches and Women’s Champions League matches, the secondary CAF Confederation Cup, and the 2025 edition of the season-opening CAF Super Cup.
SuperSport, owned by regional broadcast heavyweight MultiChoice, has secured English-language pay-TV rights to games from these competitions. This move marks a significant step in expanding access to high-quality football content for sports fans across Africa.
In a unique arrangement that ensures wider accessibility of these matches across all languages, South African Broadcasting Association (SABC) and Tanzania-based Azam Media will split free-to-air rights. As public-service broadcasters with extensive reach within their respective regions, this partnership is expected to bring thrilling football action closer to fans.
CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, said:
“The exponential growth and global competitiveness of football in Africa has resulted in substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in African Football. SuperSport, SABC, and Azam Media have been participating competitively in the CAF media rights bids. CAF welcomes them all as partners. We are committed to ensuring that CAF’s competitions including its broadcast products are world class.”
Tournament schedule
The 2024-25 CAF Champions League season along with Confederations Cup matches will run from November through May 2025. Meanwhile, the Super Cup which pits winners of both aforementioned tournaments against each other typically takes place each September. Additionally,the women’s Champions League matches are scheduled as a short-form tournament across November.
In contrast to this new arrangement,in the previous 2023-24 season,Caf champions league rights were held by Togo's New World TV before being sublicensed out to SABC as well as pay-tv operator StarTimes.
Sponsorship and financial implications
CAF’s men’s continental competitions, including the Champions League, Confederations Cup, and Super Cup are title sponsored by oil and gas major TotalEnergies. This lucrative deal is reportedly worth $31.25 million per year and also covers the continent's national team competition - the Africa Cup of Nations.
This new broadcasting rights arrangement promises to bring African football closer to fans across sub-Saharan Africa while also reflecting the growing global interest in African football.
