CAF names Media Experts and MBS as free‑to‑air partners for AFCON 2027

CAF announces free‑to‑air broadcast partners for AFCON 2027

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on 25 October 2026 that Media Experts Limited (MEL) and Media Business Solutions (UK) Ltd (MBS) have secured the sole free-to-air broadcasting rights for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which carries the PAMOJA 2027 branding. Taking place between 19 June and 17 July 2027, this competition marks the initial instance of three nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—jointly hosting the AFCON, as well as the first event held in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.

This selection came after CAF initiated a competitive bidding process in August 2026 for both free-to-air and pay-TV rights throughout the region. This arrangement finalizes the broadcasting landscape for the tournament in sub-Saharan Africa, complementing a pay-TV contract that was revealed earlier in the same month.

As part of the contract, MEL and MBS are tasked with creating a coalition of national and regional free-to-air broadcasters to provide live coverage of the AFCON to over 500 million homes. Live free-to-air transmission is guaranteed in the three host countries as well as in the continent’s biggest football markets, such as Nigeria and South Africa. CAF said that broadcast partners in each territory would be announced in the coming months.

The pact extends to other CAF competitions in sub-Saharan Africa, encompassing the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, the 2026 CAF Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, the 2027 U-20 Cup of Nations, the 2027 U-17 Cup of Nations, and another 2027 U-20 Cup of Nations.

Background

CAF’s decision comes after the 2023 AFCON, celebrated in 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire, attracted around two billion viewers worldwide. The 2025 edition in Morocco set a new record with 3.CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated that the event is expected to reach 6 billion viewers, a figure that includes digital views across social media platforms. The 2027 tournament will be the first to be hosted by three nations, a first in CAF history.

The free‑to‑air partnership follows CAF’s earlier announcement of a pay‑TV agreement for the same tournament, ensuring that both paid and free‑to‑air audiences will have access to live coverage across the continent.

Why it matters

The partnership is significant for African viewers, as free‑to‑air television remains the primary medium through which the continent watches major sporting events. By securing coverage for over 500 million households, CAF aims to broaden the tournament’s reach and maintain the growing audience that has expanded to billions in recent editions.

The inclusion of multiple CAF competitions – from futsal to beach soccer and youth tournaments – under the same broadcast umbrella ensures that fans across different football disciplines will have access to live action without subscription barriers.

The deal also signals CAF’s commitment to expanding the tournament’s footprint in East Africa, a region that has not hosted the competition since 1976. The co‑hosting arrangement is expected to boost local economies, increase tourism and promote football development in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

What happens next

CAF will announce the specific free‑to‑air broadcasters in each territory over the coming months. Meanwhile, the pay‑TV partners will also be confirmed, completing the full broadcast schedule for AFCON PAMOJA 2027. The tournament itself will take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with the final match scheduled to be broadcast across the agreed free‑to‑air and pay‑TV networks.

The partnership with MEL and MBS is expected to deliver live coverage to the largest football markets on the continent, including Nigeria and South Africa, and to provide a platform for the other CAF events listed in the agreement.

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