Ariya Networks Win AFCON 2025 Nigerian Broadcast Rights

Ariya Networks has secured the broadcast rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Nigeria, the company’s CEO confirmed at a press briefing in Lagos ahead of the tournament’s kick-off in Morocco on December 21.

At the announcement, Dr. Idris Olagoke Badmus, Chief Executive Officer of Ariya Networks, said the deal aligns with the broadcaster’s vision of building a global, African-owned media platform that showcases sports and cultural stories often underrepresented by mainstream international media.

Badmus explained that AFCON 2025 will be broadcast live on two Ariya Sports channels in Nigeria, with on-demand streaming available for viewers who cannot watch in real time or want access to replays and in-depth match analysis.

He emphasised that Ariya’s hybrid model  combining live TV and streaming services on smart TVs and mobile devices — aims to give fans flexible ways to follow all 2025 AFCON matches, marking a major step in the network’s expansion into sports broadcasting.

Editorial

There is a moment in the life cycle of any tournament when its reach matters as much as its results when how the sport is delivered becomes nearly as important as who wins on the pitch. In securing the broadcast rights for AFCON 2025 in Nigeria, Ariya Networks has not only positioned itself at the heart of a continent’s most beloved football festival, it has made a bold statement about the future of African media.

At its core, the Africa Cup of Nations is more than a sequence of matches it is a cultural event, a shared experience that binds families and communities across time zones and borders. Despite its global appeal, the narrative around African football has often been framed by external broadcasters outlets headquartered far from the pitches where the drama unfolds. Ariya Networks’ entry into this space, with a hybrid platform offering both live coverage and on-demand streams, represents a pivot toward storytelling by Africans, for Africans.

The timing could not be more symbolic. AFCON 2025 arrives in a season where Nigerian football  both domestically and internationally is rebounding with fresh urgency. As the Super Eagles prepare to take to Moroccan stadiums, millions of fans will be watching through new lenses, filtered not just through the action on the field but also through a broadcaster that promises to reflect African culture, achievement and interpretation with authenticity.

Yet this development exists alongside other broadcast partnerships notably AfroSport’s nationwide free to air coverage of Super Eagles matches underscoring the evolving media landscape in Nigeria. Whether through established platforms offering universal access or emerging services innovating with subscription models and digital reach, the goal remains the same to bring African football into every home.

In this context, Ariya Networks’ broadcast deal is both an investment and an invitation an investment in local broadcast infrastructure and an invitation for Nigerian and African audiences to engage with their football on their terms. As the tournament unfolds, the true measure of this partnership will be found not just in viewership numbers, but in how it enriches the collective narrative of Africa’s game giving fans more control over the way the story is told and lived.

Did You Know?

1. Dual Broadcast Landscape Alongside Ariya Networks’ coverage, AfroSport has secured free to air nationwide rights to broadcast Super Eagles matches in Nigeria during AFCON 2025, ensuring millions can watch without subscription fees.
2. Global Launch Ariya Networks was recently launched globally in New York City, reflecting its ambition to serve African content to audiences both at home and in the diaspora.
3. Streaming Flexibility The AFCON rights include on-demand streaming, allowing viewers to replay matches and access analysis after live broadcasts a first for many Nigerian football fans with limited TV access.
4. Broad Channel Reach Ariya’s platform includes multiple TV channels and over 300 titles, aiming to blend sports, culture and entertainment on one network.
5. Football Rights Competition Nigerian broadcast rights for major events like AFCON have become highly competitive, with platforms like AfroSport and emerging networks like Ariya seeking to expand access across linear TV and digital services.