Where to Watch AFCON: A Guide to the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations

Africa. As the 2024 edition draws near, millions of football fans around the world are eager to tune in to witness the continent’s elite teams battle it out for supremacy. Whether you’re a passionate supporter of your home nation or a neutral spectator keen to see Africa’s footballing finest, knowing where and how to watch AFCON is essential.

This article will provide a detailed guide to the best places to watch the Africa Cup of Nations, including various broadcast options, streaming platforms, and other alternatives to catch the tournament live.

1. Broadcasting Partners and TV Networks

The broadcast rights for AFCON are sold to different networks across various regions, with some of the biggest broadcasters offering live coverage of the tournament. Below are the main broadcasting partners for AFCON 2024.

In Africa

1. SuperSport (South Africa) SuperSport, one of the leading sports channels in Sub-Saharan Africa, holds the rights to broadcast AFCON 2024 in multiple African countries. The network broadcasts in several languages, including English, and offers extensive coverage of sports, including football. It will provide viewers with live matches, expert analysis, highlights, and pre- and post-match shows.
2. Canal+ (French-speaking Africa) Canal+ has a major presence in French-speaking African countries and holds the broadcasting rights for AFCON 2024 in regions like West and Central Africa. Canal+ provides high-quality coverage with pre-match and post-match analysis and interviews, alongside exclusive content from the tournament.
3. beIN Sports (North Africa) beIN Sports holds the rights to broadcast AFCON in North African countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. It is widely regarded for its in-depth football coverage and high-definition broadcasts. beIN Sports also offers additional services such as detailed player and team statistics, making it a top choice for dedicated football fans.
4. RTI (Ivory Coast) Ivory Coast’s national broadcaster, RTI (Radiodiffusion-Télévision Ivoirienne), will provide coverage of AFCON 2024, especially important for Ivorian fans as the tournament is set to take place in their country. RTI offers coverage across the country and some neighboring regions, including live broadcasts and analysis.
5. NTV and UBC (East Africa) In East Africa, broadcasters like NTV (Kenya) and UBC (Uganda) will air the AFCON 2024 matches. These local channels will ensure that fans in East Africa have access to the tournament, with commentary and analysis in regional languages.

In Europe

1. Eurosport (UK and Europe) Eurosport is a major broadcaster in Europe and offers coverage of a wide range of sports, including football. For UK viewers, Eurosport will be the go-to network to watch AFCON 2024. With expert analysis, English-language commentary, and match highlights, Eurosport provides comprehensive coverage throughout the tournament.
2. ITV and Sky Sports (UK) In the UK, both ITV and Sky Sports have secured broadcasting rights to AFCON 2024. Fans in the UK can enjoy the tournament across free-to-air (ITV) and subscription-based channels (Sky Sports). These networks also offer on-demand services, allowing fans to catch up with any matches they might have missed.
3. SFR Sport (France) SFR Sport, part of the SFR Group in France, holds the broadcasting rights for the tournament. French football fans can tune into SFR Sport for full coverage, including all live matches, highlights, and analysis, with a particular focus on French-speaking countries.
4. RTBF (Belgium) RTBF (Radio-télévision belge de la communauté française) will provide coverage of AFCON 2024 for Belgian viewers, including those who speak French. The network will broadcast live matches and provide commentary and in-depth analysis, especially of the Belgian diaspora’s favorite African teams.

In the United States

1. ESPN and ABC In the United States, ESPN and its sister network ABC will broadcast AFCON 2024. The networks have a solid history of covering international football tournaments, and they will be offering comprehensive coverage of all the AFCON matches, with expert commentary and analysis.
2. fuboTV (Streaming Option) For U.S. viewers, fuboTV offers a robust sports streaming platform with access to ESPN and ABC channels. It provides a way to watch AFCON 2024 live online, with a range of subscription options and features like cloud DVR.
3. Sling TV Sling TV is another popular option in the United States for live sports streaming. It offers access to channels like ESPN and ABC, which will be broadcasting AFCON. Sling TV allows fans to stream the tournament on various devices, making it a flexible option for watching on the go.
4. Paramount+ Paramount+ is another streaming service in the U.S. that may provide coverage of select AFCON 2024 matches, including on-demand highlights and replays.

In the Middle East

1. Qatar’s beIN Sports beIN Sports also covers AFCON 2024 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With extensive football coverage and high-definition broadcasts, beIN Sports is one of the premier networks to watch the tournament. It provides comprehensive live broadcasts, as well as analysis, expert commentary, and match previews.
2. Abu Dhabi Sports Abu Dhabi Sports, part of the UAE’s Media Group, is another broadcaster that will air AFCON 2024. It offers extensive coverage of Arab teams, as well as top African teams, bringing in-depth commentary and analysis to fans in the region.

2. Streaming Platforms for AFCON 2024

If you prefer watching sports on digital platforms rather than traditional television, several streaming services will provide live coverage of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

Official AFCON Streaming Services

• MyCujoo: The official streaming platform for AFCON, MyCujoo, has previously streamed the tournament for international fans. It offers live streaming of matches with professional commentary and multi-language options. If available, MyCujoo may offer live streams for specific regions outside of Africa, making it an excellent option for international fans.
• YouTube: Various highlights and extended match replays are usually available on the official YouTube channels of the African Football Confederation (CAF) and participating broadcasters. While live streams may not always be available, highlights, interviews, and analysis will be provided.

Other Streaming Options

• fuboTV: As mentioned earlier, fuboTV is a subscription-based service that specializes in sports. U.S. users can access ESPN and ABC channels via fuboTV to stream AFCON 2024. With a 7-day free trial, fans can watch the tournament without an immediate commitment.
• Hulu + Live TV: Hulu’s live TV service includes ESPN, ABC, and other networks broadcasting AFCON 2024. Hulu + Live TV is an excellent option for fans who already subscribe to Hulu and want to add live sports coverage to their entertainment options.
• Sling TV: Sling TV offers packages that include ESPN and ABC, meaning you can watch AFCON 2024 live. The platform is compatible with a variety of devices, including smart TVs, phones, and computers.
• Paramount+: For fans looking to stream select matches, Paramount+ offers on-demand content as well as live sports broadcasts. While its availability for AFCON 2024 may vary, it’s worth checking out.
• YouTube TV: Another excellent streaming option in the U.S., YouTube TV carries ESPN and ABC networks. Subscribing to YouTube TV allows you to watch AFCON 2024 matches live and access DVR features to record games for later viewing.

3. Bars and Public Viewing Locations

If you’re looking for a more social experience, many bars and restaurants, particularly those with an African diaspora presence, will be showing AFCON 2024. These venues often provide a lively atmosphere, where fans can gather, cheer for their teams, and enjoy the excitement of the tournament together.

1. African Cultural Centers: Many African cultural centers around the world will screen AFCON matches, especially in cities with large African communities. Check local listings or visit your nearest cultural center to find out about scheduled viewings.
2. Football Fan Zones: For those attending the tournament in Ivory Coast, cities across the country will host fan zones where public screenings of the matches will be available. These areas are perfect for fans to enjoy the games on big screens and celebrate the event with others.
3. Sports Bars: In major cities worldwide, sports bars will often broadcast international football tournaments. Look for venues that are popular among football fans and those with African football communities. Many bars will advertise their AFCON screenings closer to the tournament start date.

4. Radio and Audio Streams

For fans on the go or those who prefer radio commentary, many local radio stations in Africa will offer live updates, match reports, and commentary for AFCON 2024. Some broadcasters also offer audio streaming through their websites or apps.

• BBC World Service: For international listeners, the BBC World Service is an excellent option. They often offer live radio commentary for major tournaments like AFCON.
• Local Stations: Many African countries have local stations broadcasting AFCON matches, and some of them offer online audio streams for global audiences.