AFCON Future Secured: CAF Opens Bidding for 2028, 2032, 2036 Host Nations
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched the bidding process for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, inviting all 54 member associations. This initiative aims to secure long-term stability and elevate the event's global standing, requiring host nations to demonstrate strong infrastructure and operational capacity. The move builds on the tournament's growing commercial success and significant global viewership.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially opened the bidding process for three significant future editions of its flagship tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). All 54 member associations across the continent have been formally invited to submit their proposals to host the 2028, 2032, and 2036 tournaments. This strategic move, announced through an official statement on CAF's website, marks the beginning of a comprehensive and competitive selection process designed to determine the hosts for Africa's premier football spectacle over the next decade.
CAF's initiative underscores its commitment to securing long-term organizational stability for the AFCON and to further elevate the tournament's global standing. The newly established bidding framework allows every eligible member association to present a proposal for any of the three editions. Emphasizing rigorous standards, CAF stated that the process aims to identify host nations that possess the necessary infrastructure, robust commercial acumen, and operational capabilities to deliver events of the highest calibre, ensuring adherence to stringent technical and safety benchmarks.
To guarantee transparency and impartiality throughout the selection, CAF has revealed that the bidding blueprint was meticulously developed in collaboration with its independent expert advisor, PwC. This collaboration also involved a dedicated team of technical, financial, and external legal specialists. The governing body affirmed that this structured framework is specifically designed to foster fairness and encourage robust competition among all interested nations vying for the hosting rights.
This major announcement precedes the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to be a historic event. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host this edition from June 19 to July 17, 2027. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the AFCON is spread across three East African nations, showcasing a new era of regional collaboration in African football.
In recent years, CAF has successfully amplified the tournament's commercial footprint and significantly increased its viewership. Past editions of the AFCON have consistently drawn record-breaking television and digital audiences. The tournament currently boasts an impressive cumulative global television audience exceeding 3.2 billion, complemented by over six billion digital interactions. This remarkable reach firmly cements AFCON's status as Africa's largest sporting event and positions it as one of the most-watched global football competitions.
For the successful bidders of the 2028, 2032, and 2036 tournaments, the benefits extend far beyond mere prestige. Hosting offers an unparalleled global platform for nations to prominently showcase their state-of-the-art stadium infrastructure, rich tourism appeal, and efficient logistical capabilities. Furthermore, it provides a unique opportunity to welcome Africa's elite national teams and millions of passionate football fans from across the continent and the diaspora, fostering cultural exchange and economic growth.