The highly exciting and favored AFCON 2023/2024 tournament has already taken off and is on fire, the tournament is currently hosted and underway in Ivory Coast commenced on January 13, with the final set to take place on February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, boasting a capacity of 60,000 spectators.
The CAF decided to increase this year's AFCON prize money and delivered on their decision and promise. CAF's decision to increase prize money for the 2023/2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reflects its commitment to elevating the tournament's stakes and honoring football excellence. The surge in prize money, with the winner expecting to receive USD 7 million, marks the highest prize money ever provided by CAF to the tournament winners, totaling USD 21.2 million, approximately 19.3 million Euros.
In a dynamic move to elevate the stakes and honor football excellence, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) significantly increased the prize money for the 2023/2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). With the total prize fund now standing at an impressive USD 21 million, a notable surge from the USD 16 million in 2022/2023, this increase aims to celebrate achievement at every stage.
The distribution of prize money for AFCON 2023/2024 is as follows:
Winners: USD 7,000,000
Runners-up: USD 4,000,000
Semi-finalists (4 teams): USD 2,500,000 each
Quarter-finalists (8 teams): USD 1,300,000 each
Round of 16 (16 teams): USD 800,000 each
Third-place finishers in the group: USD 700,000 each
Teams ranked 4th in each group: USD 500,000 each
These are the scorecards financially for the teams ranked fourth in the group stage where they received USD 500,000 each; Tanzania, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Gambia, Algeria, and Tunisia.
The teams who finished third place in the group stage received USD 700,000 each; Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Namibia, and Zambia.
The Round of 16 teams who received USD 800,000 were; Nigeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Angola, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Egypt, D.R Congo, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and South Africa.
Then, the African Giants who went further and qualified for the Quarter Finals and received USD 1,300,000 each were; South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Angola, Cape Verde, D.R Congo, and Guinea.
And Last but not least, the African Giants who entered the Semi-finals and qualified to receive USD 2,500,000 each were; South Africa, Nigeria, D.R. Congo, and Ivory Coast.
Now, the football fans of AFCON are awaiting for the third-place runner-up, Second-place runner-up up, and the Prize winner.
The tournament is expected to be a global event, with broadcasting rights agreements secured with prominent media entities such as the BBC, Sky, Band TV, beIN, and Canal+, ensuring coverage in 180 countries worldwide.
These agreements ensure that the tournament will be watched live in 180 countries worldwide. Additionally, over 6,000 media applications for accreditation have been received, more than double the applications received for the previous Afcon.
The Preparations of Host Nation, Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast has invested significantly in upgrading infrastructure, spending approximately USD 1 billion to renovate roads, stadiums, hospitals, and other facilities for the tournament. New stadiums, including the Alassane Ouattara Stadium with a seating capacity of 60,000, highlight the nation's commitment to hosting a world-class event.
Ivory Coast has pulled out all the stops to ensure that this year’s Afcon is a world-class event. The host nation is estimated to have spent USD 1 billion renovating roads, stadiums, hospitals, and other infrastructure in preparation for the tournament. Beyond renovating existing stadiums, the country built three new venues. There are two new 20,000 capacity stadiums. Laurent Pokou Stadium is in San-Pédro in the extreme southwest of the country, and Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium at Korhogo in the north. The biggest new facility, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, is located just outside the economic capital, Abidjan, and was built with USD 260 million to seat 60,000 spectators all under a roof. Some of these venues, like the one in Korhogo, are accompanied by newly built hotels, villas, and roads. As the host nation, Ivory Coast will also enjoy the benefit of a fan base that could boost its team’s morale and chances of winning.