Channel 4 to Broadcast Africa Cup of Nations 2025 FTA in UK
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CAF Secures Landmark UK Broadcast Deal with Channel 4 for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
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The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK for the first time, thanks to a new agreement between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Channel 4.
Historic Broadcast Agreement
The agreement, announced on december 5, 2023, marks a significant milestone for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), bringing the tournament to a wider audience in the United Kingdom. Véron Mosengo-Omba, CAF’s general secretary, described the deal as “historic in many ways,” emphasizing its importance in making the competition accessible to “each and every household in the UK for the first time in the history of the competition” as reported by Sportspro.
Mosengo-Omba further stated that the agreement “affirms AFCON’s position as one of the prime and much sought after assets in global football.”
Premier League Stars to Feature
The tournament is expected to feature a number of prominent players currently competing in the English Premier League, adding to its appeal for UK viewers. Channel 4 highlighted the participation of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo according to Sportspro. The timing of the tournament, including matches on Boxing Day, is particularly beneficial as it falls during a period when Premier League coverage is traditionally reduced.
Pete Andrews, head of sport at Channel 4, explained that bringing the “excitement and drama of the African Cup of Nations exclusively to UK free-to-air television” is a ”compelling proposition.” He specifically noted the draw of having “Liverpool legend Mo Salah on Channel 4 on Boxing Day” as a key attraction for football fans.
Implications for AFCON and Channel 4
This deal represents a significant win for CAF, increasing the global visibility of AFCON and perhaps attracting further investment. For Channel 4, it provides a high-profile sporting event to bolster its free-to-air offering, competing with subscription-based sports channels. The partnership aligns with Channel 4’s commitment to showcasing diverse sporting content and reaching a broad audience.
Looking Ahead to Morocco 2025
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco. This will be the 34th edition of the tournament,and the first to be held in Morocco since 1988 according to the CAF official website. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 20, 2025, to January 18, 2026.