The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced a change to the schedule of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the tournament will be held in August instead of February.
The decision was revealed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe during a press conference on Saturday.
The 2027 edition of AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Motsepe explained that the adjustment was made to give the host nations more time and financial flexibility in preparing for the tournament, which is set to take place in just over two years.
In a major structural shift, Motsepe also confirmed the cancellation of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was reserved for locally based players.
In its place, CAF will introduce a new continental national team competition to be held every two years during international windows.
Meanwhile, the senior Africa Cup of Nations will be staged every four years starting from 2028.
Motsepe emphasized CAF’s broader vision to enhance the commercial and sporting value of African competitions.
He highlighted the increase in prize money for AFCON, which has risen from $4 million to $10 million for the winners, as part of efforts to make the tournament more competitive and attractive.
He also outlined ambitious plans for the African Nations League, stressing that it should rival AFCON in terms of excitement and prestige.
Motsepe revealed that CAF aims to award a $10 million prize to the winners of the African Nations League, ensuring it meets the expectations of sponsors, fans and broadcasters.
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