CAF Raises Champions League Prize Money to $6M and Confederations Cup to $4M

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved a significant increase in prize money for its two flagship club competitions - the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup - marking one of the largest financial boosts in the history of African club football.

Beginning with the 2025/26 season knockout stages, the CAF Champions League winner will receive $6 million, while the Confederation Cup champion will earn $4 million.

According to multiple reports, the decision was approved at the CAF Executive Committee meeting in February and endorsed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the financial sustainability and commercial value of African club competitions.

The Champions League winner's prize rises from $4 million to $6 million - a 50% increase - while the Confederation Cup winner's prize doubles from $2 million to $4 million.

CAF attributes the enhanced payouts to improved financial performance driven by growing television rights revenues and expanded sponsorship partnerships. The governing body has increasingly prioritized building a stronger commercial foundation for its competitions as it seeks to narrow the financial gap between African club football and other global confederations.

CAF Champions League Prize Money Breakdown (2025/26) - Total Prize Money Pool: $17.6 Million distributed to clubs.

Winner - $4,000,000

Runner-up - $2,000,000

Semi-finalists (2 clubs) - $1,200,000 each

Quarter-finalists (4 clubs) - $900,000 each

3rd place in group stage (4 clubs) - $700,000 each

4th place in group stage (4 clubs)- $700,000 each

*CAF also introduced financial support for earlier rounds: Preliminary round clubs - $50,000

CAF Confederations Cup Prize Money Breakdown (2025/26)

Winner - $2,000,000

Runner-up$1,000,000

Semi-finalists (2 clubs)- $750,000 each

Quarter-finalists (4 clubs)- $550,000 each

3rd place in group stage (4 clubs)- $400,000 each

4th place in group stage (4 clubs)- $400,000 each

CAF also introduced financial support for earlier rounds: Preliminary round clubs - $50,000

*CAF has is yet to publicly release the full updated stage-by-stage breakdown, but the increases mainly affect the final payouts to winners.

Source: CAF