The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will be one of the biggest football events of the year — and UK viewers are getting unprecedented access. Channel 4 has secured exclusive UK broadcast rights to the entire tournament, meaning every single one of the 52 matches will be available live and free. This is the first time in AFCON history that the whole tournament will be accessible on free-to-air television in the UK.

AFCON 2025 takes place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, making it the standout football event during the festive period. While other major leagues slow down for the holidays, AFCON will deliver top-level international football at a time when fans are eager for live action. Channel 4’s coverage ensures that everyone — from casual viewers to die-hard football fans — can follow the tournament without subscriptions or paywalls.

Full Access Across Channel 4 Platforms

One of the strengths of this deal is how comprehensive Channel 4’s coverage will be. Matches will be spread across the main Channel 4 channel, E4, 4Seven, and Channel 4’s streaming platform, with additional digital coverage designed to capture younger and online-first audiences. The broadcaster is aiming for the widest possible reach, making AFCON one of the most accessible international tournaments ever shown in the UK.

This approach reflects how modern audiences watch sport. Whether on TV, mobile, laptop, or connected streaming devices, UK fans will be able to tune into live matches, highlights, replays, and tournament updates seamlessly.

Premier League Stars and Global Appeal

AFCON 2025 will showcase some of the biggest talents in world football, many of whom play in the English Premier League. Players like Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and others will represent their national teams, creating strong cross-over interest for UK viewers already familiar with their weekly club performances.

With 24 teams competing across group stages and intense knockout rounds, the tournament consistently delivers drama, passion, and elite-level football. Channel 4’s free-to-air access ensures these moments reach a far larger audience than ever before.

A Major Boost for African Football

This historic agreement greatly increases AFCON’s visibility in one of the world’s most competitive football markets. By bringing the entire tournament to mainstream British television, Channel 4 is helping to elevate African football’s profile, strengthen international recognition, and broaden the global fanbase.

For fans, it means easy access. For the tournament, it means more attention, higher engagement, and a growing audience year after year. AFCON 2025 could be the turning point that makes the competition a staple of UK winter viewing.

Why It Matters for UK Fans

Because Channel 4 will broadcast every match, UK viewers don’t need pay-TV subscriptions — fans can watch their favourite African teams and rising stars from clubs in Europe with ease. The early fixtures mean that interest builds from the start, and with national teams featuring major talents, each matchday offers excitement and unpredictable results.

First Matches: Dates and Kick-Off Times Fans Should Note

The tournament gets underway with a high-profile opening match: Morocco national football team vs Comoros national football team on Sunday 21 December 2025, at 7:00 PM local time (which corresponds to the same time in the UK) at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

From there, the group stage kicks off in full. On Monday 22 December 2025, the schedule includes:

• Mali national football team vs Zambia national football team at Casablanca (early afternoon start)

• Egypt national football team vs Zimbabwe national football team in Agadir that evening

• South Africa national football team vs Angola national football team in Marrakech later on the same day.

On Tuesday 23 December 2025, the action continues with more group-stage fixtures, including:

• Nigeria national football team vs Tanzania national football team in Fès.

• Tunisia national football team vs Uganda national football team in Rabat.

• Senegal national football team vs Botswana national football team in Tangier.

• DR Congo national football team vs Benin national football team in Rabat later that evening.

The group-stage action continues steadily from 21 through 31 December, with multiple games virtually every day. For example from 24 December there are matches such as Algeria national football team vs Sudan national football team, and Cameroon national football team vs Gabon national football team — ensuring fans have plenty of football to follow in the run-up to the holidays.

This early match schedule means that from the moment the tournament starts, fans tuning in from the UK on Channel 4 will be able to catch games almost daily — and often more than one per day — making AFCON a central part of the festive football calendar.