Motsepe Increases Prize Money For Inter Club Comps
President Patrice Motsepe has announced a major increase in prize money for Africa’s top club competitions, with winners of both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup set to receive significantly higher rewards starting from the 2025/26 season.
The announcement was made by the Confederation of African Football, which confirmed that the winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will now receive USD 6 million, representing a 50% increase from the previous USD 4 million.
Meanwhile, the winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will receive USD 4 million, doubling the previous prize of USD 2 million in what CAF described as a 100% increase.
CAF prize money growth under Motsepe
Since Motsepe took over as CAF president in 2021, prize money across African club competitions has increased significantly.
The prize money for the CAF Champions League winner has risen from USD 2.5 million in 2021 to USD 6 million in 2026, marking a 140% increase.
Similarly, the prize money for the Confederation Cup champion has grown from USD 1.25 million in 2021 to USD 4 million in 2026, representing a 220% increase.
CAF also revealed that the latest adjustments mean the total prize money and solidarity payments distributed to African clubs will exceed USD 42 million per season, which is a 114% increase compared to the USD 18.8 million allocated in 2021.
Financial support for participating clubs
Motsepe said the increased financial support forms part of CAF’s commitment to strengthen club competitions across the continent and make African club football globally competitive.
In August 2024, CAF introduced solidarity payments for clubs eliminated in the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. Each eliminated club initially received USD 50,000.
In 2025, the amount was increased to USD 100,000 per club, providing additional financial relief to teams participating in continental competitions.
CAF said the improved financial incentives have helped attract a record 130 clubs from across the continent to participate in the 2025/26 CAF interclub competitions.
Historic prize money increases
CAF Champions League winners
- 2021: USD 2.5 million
- 2024: USD 4 million
- 2026: USD 6 million
CAF Confederation Cup winners
- 2021: USD 1.25 million
- 2024: USD 2 million
- 2026: USD 4 million
Solidarity payments for clubs eliminated in preliminary rounds
- 2021: No payment
- 2024/25: USD 50,000 per club
- 2025/26: USD 100,000 per club
Road to the 2026 CAF interclub finals
CAF also confirmed the dates for the two major club finals.
The CAF Champions League 2025/26 final will be played over two legs on 15 May and 24 May, while the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final will take place on 9 May and 16 May.
