Quick answer
CAF has named Media Experts Limited (MEL) and Media Business Solutions (UK) Ltd (MBS) as the exclusive free-to-air TV rights holders for AFCON 2027 across sub-Saharan Africa. The deal aims to reach about 500 million homes in at least 40 countries, including hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, plus Nigeria and South Africa. Coverage starts with the ongoing qualifiers. The TV channel in each country has not been announced yet.
Millions of fans across Africa will be able to watch AFCON 2027 without a pay-TV subscription. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights for the tournament to two media agencies, Media Experts Limited (MEL) and Media Business Solutions (UK) Ltd (MBS).
The two companies will now build a network of national and regional free-to-air broadcasters across sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to reach around 500 million households in at least 40 countries before AFCON PAMOJA 2027 kicks off on 19 June 2027.
Which countries are included?
Countries named in the announcement include:
- 🇹🇿 Tanzania, 🇰🇪 Kenya and 🇺🇬 Uganda, the three co-hosts
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria and 🇿🇦 South Africa, Africa’s biggest football TV markets
- 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇦🇴 Angola and 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
The full list of 40+ countries has not been published. The deal covers sub-Saharan Africa, so North African countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia are handled separately.
Which TV channel will show AFCON 2027 in Tanzania?
Not confirmed yet. MEL and MBS will announce the broadcast partner in each country over the coming months. Many of those partners are expected to be national broadcasters. We will update this page and our How to Watch AFCON 2027 guide as soon as the Tanzanian, Kenyan and Ugandan channels are confirmed.
Does it include the qualifiers?
Yes. Reports say coverage begins with the ongoing qualifiers. That could include Matchdays 3 and 4 on 11 and 15 November 2026, when Tanzania play Nigeria twice and Kenya play South Africa twice. Broadcasters for those games have not been named yet, so check our November fixtures page closer to kick-off.
What else is in the deal?
As well as AFCON 2027, the free-to-air rights cover other CAF tournaments up to 2027:
- Futsal Africa Cup of Nations 2026
- Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations 2026
- Africa U-20 Cup of Nations 2027
- Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2027
What about pay-TV?
Pay-TV rights in sub-Saharan Africa were awarded separately earlier in October. Business of Sports Africa reports that Canal+ holds the pay-TV rights for English, French and Portuguese coverage. Fans with satellite or pay-TV packages should still be able to watch there, while the new deal makes sure fans without a subscription can watch for free.
What the companies said
“Free-to-air television is where Africa watches its biggest moments together,” said Kunle Falodun, chief executive of Media Experts Limited. He added that the Africa Cup of Nations “belongs on every screen, in every home, in every market.”
“This is a proud day for MBS and a great day for every African football fan,” said Richard Dimosi Diasolwa, chief executive of Media Business Solutions. MBS also distributed AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, and MEL already holds free-to-air rights for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Why it matters
Free-to-air TV is still how most African fans watch football. A GeoPoll survey cited in the announcement found that 64% of Nigerian football fans name free-to-air TV as their main way of watching live matches. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has said nearly two billion people watched AFCON 2023, and CAF reports a record 3.6 billion viewers for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
For East Africa, it means the first AFCON in the region since 1976 should be watchable in homes, bars and fan zones without a subscription. That’s important for a tournament played on home soil.
Frequently asked questions
Will AFCON 2027 be free to watch on TV?
Yes, in at least 40 sub-Saharan African countries. CAF has awarded free-to-air rights to MEL and MBS, who will place the matches with national and regional broadcasters.
Which channel will show AFCON 2027 in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda?
The channels have not been announced yet. All three host countries are included in the free-to-air deal, and broadcast partners will be named in the coming months.
Who are MEL and MBS?
Media Experts Limited (MEL) and Media Business Solutions (UK) Ltd (MBS) are sports media rights agencies. MBS distributed AFCON 2023, and MEL holds free-to-air rights for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
When does AFCON 2027 start?
AFCON 2027 runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
More: How to watch AFCON 2027 · November fixtures · Qualifiers table