Record-breaking AFCON tournament indicates a bright future

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Image via Confederation of African Football (CAF)

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been a roaring success that has symbolised the bright future of the world game in Africa. Record number of goals, booming social media channels and incredible upsets set up a future-defining campaign for all African football enthusiasts.

In a press conference before the final of the competition, Patrick Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, claimed nearly 2 billion people watched the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 over the past month. This indicates an over 300% growth from AFCON 2021 in Cameroon which reached around 600 million viewers across 160 different nations.

This incredible reach was made possible due to many significant factors, most being extremely positive and setting a tremendous foundation due to the continent’s steep rise in football popularity across the last few years.

Record prize money and revenue earned

Before the tournament started, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a 40% increase in the prize money for winning Afcon. The winning national team, hosts Ivory Coast, took home AUD$10.7 million while runners-up Nigeria took AUD$6.1 million, third place South Africa took AUD$3.8 million and the fourth placed D.R Congo team took home AUD$1.9 million.

AFCON this campaign had a record 17 commercial partners, and the competition is estimated to also smash the previous revenue record of AUD$93.4 million. CAF is estimated to be earning around AUD$114.6 million in sponsorship revenue from this year’s AFCON according to London-based market research firm GlobalData.

Global viewership and increased media coverage

Matches were shown in about 180 countries through deals with partner broadcasters like Sky, Canal+, beIN Sport, BBC, and MultiChoice, as well as 45 Free To Air broadcasters.

Australians were afforded the opportunity to watch every AFCON 2024 game live and in HD thanks to beIN Sports.

Media accreditation at the event was more than doubled from the last AFCON, with over 6,000 journalists applying for accreditation from all over the world. The increased coverage on social media platforms played a huge role in its international popularity.

Star attractions

There is no denying the enormous role played by star players who featured in this stacked AFCON tournament which is also proving that Africa as a continent is turning over elite talent like never before.

Huge international names like Victor Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus are just four names out of many that most football fans would consider quite entertaining to watch. This erray of talent makes any football fan excited to tune into matches, even as a complete neutral.

World class facilities

Côte d’Ivoire really stepped up their game in preparation for this tournament, with planning years in advance to host a world class event.

AUD$1.53 billion was estimated to have been spent on renovating roads, stadiums, hospitals and other infrastructure in preparation for the tournament. Beyond renovating existing stadiums, the country built three new venues, two with a 20,000 capacity and the new Alassane Ouattara stadium, named after the president of the country, which seats over 60,000 spectators and was used for the Final of the tournament.

A fairytale ending for the hosts Côte d’Ivoire capped off a groundbreaking tournament that is proven to the world just how serious Africa is about its footballing development. With a host of exciting youngsters and more funding going directly into grassroots and professional football, there is only one trajectory that we can expect for the continent, and that is straight up.

Professional Footballers Australia unveil 2024 scholarship recipients

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Image credit: Professional Footballers Australia

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has confirmed this year’s recipients of its annual scholarships, rewarding members for outstanding professional and personal development.

The scholarships are named after previous Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros and former Socceroo Craig Foster, honouring players developing in areas such as education, business, media, advocacy and community impact.

Each recipient receives $2,500 towards their development.

The PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarships are awarded to two players each year who demonstrate excellence in education or business.

The scholarships celebrate the drive and dedication of players who are committed to their professional development.

Wellington Phoenix’s Annalie Longo received the award for pursuing her coaching credentials through the Oceania Football Confederation A Licence, while also diving into the football media scene as a commentator with Sky Sport.

The New Zealand international is also the creator of the Fantails junior programme in her home country.

This initiative aims to engage young girls in football as part of New Zealand Football’s legacy plan for hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Western Sydney Wanderer’s defender Gabriel Cleur also received the PFA Kimon Taliadoros scholarship, for his personal development. He is studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and has completed a Diploma of Counselling.

Cleur has also done work regarding mental health and well-being, serving as a well-being officer and mental coach at Blacktown Spartans, supporting the NPL2 boys team.

The PFA Craig Foster Scholarships acknowledges the important role footballers play in shaping their communities and society and is selected by the PFA Executive.

Adelaide United’s Chelsie Dawber is one of the recipients of the scholarship where she has made a significant impact in her community via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and recently launched her own business to support underprivileged communities in South Australia.

Brisbane Roar’s Chelsea Blissett is the second recipient of the PFA Craig Foster scholarship through her work in spreading awareness regarding eating disorders.

The former Melbourne City player is currently studying a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, aiming to raise awareness and provide education for community football clubs, furthering her impact on public health.

Rita Mankowska, the PFA’s Head of Player Development, congratulated the players and acknowledged their professional and personal development:

“Personal development is at the heart of what we do at the PFA, and these scholarships reflect our commitment to supporting players’ lives on and off the pitch,” she said in a media release.

“Each of the recipients this year are not only developing themselves but are ensuring their journey of self-development is also impacting others.

“Whether that is through initiatives in grassroots football or the broader community, these players demonstrate the importance of holistic career development.”

The PFA also released its annual Player Development Report highlighting record investments in mental health support and education funding for PFA members.

In the past 12 months, the organisation also facilitated coaching courses, health checks, and expanded support for past players.

The program continues to promote a player-centric approach within the professional football industry.

EURO 2024 Success: Lessons for Australia for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup

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Image credit: Euro 2024 Instagram

A comprehensive study by Nielsen Sports, the world leader in sports data measurement and fan insights, revealed that UEFA EURO 2024 will have an economic impact of €7.44 billion ($12.27 billion AUD) for Germany and the ten host cities.

Over 90% of this amount stems from spending by the 2.7 million ticket holders (with 44% coming from abroad), organisers, and accredited personnel, along with the indirect and induced economic effects.

The largest expenditures included accommodation, travel to and within the host cities, and food and beverages both inside and outside the stadiums.

The study also highlighted that nearly two-thirds of ticket holders used public transport within the host cities.

Furthermore, the event generated a total of €571 million ($941 million AUD) in advertising value for both the host cities and the country, due to their global media presence and visibility.

The conclusions of the study demonstrate the tournament’s positive impact in several areas:

  • The 51 matches were attended by 2.7 million spectators. 1.7 million were unique ticket holders, who attended at least one match.
  • 22% of the Ticket Holders were female, with the average age of all ticket holders being around 43 years old.
  • On average, 23% of ticket holders came from the host cities, 33% from the rest of Germany and 44% from abroad.
  • 97% of international ticket holders said they wanted to visit Germany again. On average, 79% of ticket holders said they would recommend visiting the city that had hosted their match.
  • 78% of all ticket holders rated UEFA EURO 2024 as positive, implying positive associations with the host cities and host country by extension.
  • 85% of host city residents stated that hosting UEFA EURO 2024 gave them a sense of pride
  • 73% said that EURO 2024 had made a positive contribution to the common good and cohesion in the host city.
  • More than a quarter of residents said that they had been inspired by EURO 2024 and played more than two hours more sport than before.
  • Ticket holders stayed for almost two days on average, with 87% staying for up to three nights.

The full report can be found here.

Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association (DFB), said:

“The study provides impressive evidence that UEFA EURO 2024 has had a wide range of positive effects across the ten venues and the country as a whole,” Neuendorf said in a statement.

“Not only did it provide us with great matches and a fantastic atmosphere in the stadiums; it was also an economic and social success.

“Thirty-six years after EURO 1988 and 34 years after peaceful reunification, Germany has proven to be a football-loving country, a friendly host and a reliable partner for the organisation of major sporting events.”

How can Australia benefit?

In 2026, Australia will host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with the host cities confirmed to be Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Similarly, the results of the Germany EURO 2024 success compare closely to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in terms of social impact and its effect on participation and attendance rates in women’s football.

Record numbers of viewers and grassroots sign ups suggest that this even and the one upcoming in 2026 stretch far beyond the Matildas’ results on the pitch.

However, it’s worth noting that the Asian Cup in 2026 produces a fantastic opportunity for iconic silverware and to continue the momentum set by the previous World Cup, with women’s football setting the foundations nicely to leapfrog into the mainstream.

The event is forecast to also attract thousands of out-of-state visitors, generating millions in visitor spend, while also delivering a cumulative broadcast audience of over 100 million across the event.

Conclusion

EURO 2024 proved to be a resounding success, offering a refreshing return to a popular footballing nation after the controversies surrounding the previous tournaments in Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018.

The Nielsen Sport report highlighted the significant benefits Germany reaped as hosts, both economically and in terms of global visibility.

Looking ahead, the upcoming 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is poised to further elevate women’s football, shining a spotlight on the sport while generating substantial revenue and exposure through tourism.

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