Football fans across South Africa will enjoy uninterrupted access to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) secured exclusive rights to broadcast all 52 matches of the tournament.
The move positions the public broadcaster as the go-to destination for AFCON coverage, reinforcing its commitment to making major sporting events accessible to all.
According to SABC News and News24, the broadcaster will provide comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms, airing live matches on SABC 1, SABC 2, SABC 3, and SABC Sports Channel, as well as through its network of regional radio stations in several languages. Fans will also be able to stream matches for free on SABC Plus and sabcsport.com, which will include on-demand catch-up services for missed games.
The acquisition followed a competitive battle for broadcast rights. MultiChoice’s SuperSport was unable to secure the rights, allowing SABC to negotiate directly with New World TV, the rights holder. This move underscores SABC’s strategy of keeping major football tournaments freely available to the public, in contrast to subscription-based models.
SABC Sport has also prepared expert-driven programming to enhance the viewing experience. The broadcaster announced a lineup of seasoned analysts and pundits who will deliver in-depth studio build-ups, tactical breakdowns, and post-match reviews throughout the tournament.
Industry observers say the deal represents a win for inclusive sports broadcasting, ensuring that millions of South Africans, including those without pay-TV subscriptions, will not miss Africa’s biggest football spectacle.
With AFCON 2025 expected to draw massive audiences across the continent, SABC’s exclusive rights guarantee that the excitement—from the opening whistle to the final showdown—will reach fans everywhere, free of charge.
