AFCON shifts to a quadrennial format
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has announced a major scheduling change: from 2028, the tournament will be held every four years instead of every two. The decision, confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), marks a fundamental shift in how Africa’s flagship football competition is staged, broadcast, and monetized. With AFCON accounting for a substantial portion of CAF’s revenue, the move aims to stabilize finances, improve planning, and attract longer-term sponsorships and broadcast deals.
Why opt for a four-year cycle?
CAF officials say the quadrennial format will bring several benefits. First, it creates a predictable calendar for clubs, national teams, and sponsors, reducing scheduling conflicts with domestic leagues and European competitions. Second, it allows for more robust hosting bids, with nations able to prepare top-tier venues, security plans, and fan experiences without the pressure of a two-year turnaround. Finally, a longer cycle could boost the tournament’s brand value by concentrating attention on a single event every four years, similar to other global tournaments.
Impact on revenue and competition
AFCON has long been a revenue engine for CAF, generating a significant share of its funds via broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and matchday income. A four-year gap between editions may affect short-term cash flow, but CAF argues that a steadier, high-quality event could yield bigger long-term deals. For players and clubs, the change could alter transfer and retention dynamics. National teams may schedule training camps and friendlies with greater certainty, while clubs could adjust their player development strategies around a longer AFCON window during FIFA international breaks.
Financial and sponsorship implications
Industry observers expect sponsors to value a quadrennial AFCON as a marquee, high-impact platform—provided the quality of hosting and fan engagement remains high. Broadcasters may seek longer-term contracts tied to a single, compelling tournament rather than multiple brief events. The shift could also influence CAF’s ability to invest in grassroots football, youth development, and infrastructure, depending on how revenue grows in the new cycle.
Hosting, qualification, and logistics
With the new cadence, qualification paths and hosting cycles will be redesigned. CAF will likely run phased bidding windows, allowing potential hosts to showcase sustainable venues, accessibility, and legacy plans. The format of the tournament itself—such as the number of teams, group stages, and knockout rounds—could undergo adjustments to fit a four-year plan while preserving competitive integrity. In the intervening years, regional competitions and qualification windows may be organized to maintain momentum for national teams.
Stakeholder reactions and fan sentiment
Reaction across Africa has been mixed. Supporters welcome the stability and improved planning, while some worry about longer waits between tournaments and the potential for diminished local excitement. Clubs and players often voice a desire for continuity in scheduling and fair access to the best players during AFCON. CAF will need to manage expectations, ensure equitable distribution of hosting rights, and maintain the tournament’s status as a celebration of continental football every four years.
What this means for the future
Shifting AFCON to a four-year cycle signals a bold reorientation of continental football’s economic and competitive model. If CAF can deliver sustained growth in viewership, sponsorship, and football development funding, the quadrennial format may become a new standard for Africa’s most prestigious tournament. For fans, players, and clubs, the change promises clearer calendars and the chance to build anticipation for a landmark event when it arrives in 2028 and beyond.
