Channel 4 will broadcast the 2025 AFCON during a Christmas period in England where games are more spread out.
The 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be exclusively broadcast in the UK by Channel 4 for the first time.
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) agreed a new broadcast rights deal with Channel 4 on December 3.
The deal will see Channel 4 broadcast all AFCON games, with the coverage produced by the IMG which also facilitated the deal. Games will be available on Channel 4, free-to-air, as well as on E4, 4Seven, the Channel 4 streaming service and 4 Sport on YouTube.
“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,” said CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba.
“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.”
What you need to know about AFCON 2025
Africa’s largest international tournament will kick-off in Morocco on December 21, 2025. All 52 matches, from the group stage to the final, consisting of 24 nation teams, will be broadcast by Channel 4.
The opening game between Morocco and Comoros will be shown on E4 and Channel 4 streaming. The majority of other group stage games, including Egypt vs. South Africa on December 26 and Nigeria vs. Tunisia on December 27, will be shown on E4, Channel 4 streaming, Channel 4 Sport on YouTube and 4Seven.
The group stage ends on December 31, with the Round of 16 taking place between January 3-6, 2026, Quarter-Finals between January 9-10, Semi-Finals on January 14, and the final on January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Several notable Premier League players will be competing in this year’s AFCON, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, and Manchester United duo Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo, among others.
“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,” said Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at 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.”
