Spotify has signed on as the official music sponsor for the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025, Africa’s biggest Call of Duty: Mobile tournament and the official regional qualifier for the global CODM World Championship.
Set for 30 and 31 August in Lagos, Nigeria, the Grand Finals will feature the continent’s top eight CODM squads fighting for a $15,000 prize and a place on the world stage. What’s new this year is a shift in energy. Thanks to Spotify, the event is evolving into more than a tournament. It’s becoming a full-on cultural moment.
Alongside the competition, attendees can expect live performances, curated music moments and a dedicated Spotify Fan Zone. There’ll be DJs, artist showcases, free merch, interactive lounges and even phone charging stations. Think less sterile sports arena, more open-air gaming-meets-music festival.
Guillaume Noé, VP of Growth Platform at Carry1st, says the idea is to celebrate African creativity across both gaming and music. “Partnering with Spotify allows us to take this to the next level,” he said in a statement.
Spotify is also launching an official Carry1st Africa Cup Playlist, blending Afrobeats, game-inspired tracks and the most streamed bangers from across the continent. Fans will get to vote on which tracks make the final cut via social media during the Nigeria regional finals on 3 August. The full playlist drops the following week.
“This is about creating a space where African gamers and artists can shine on a global stage,” said Sithabile Kachisa, Spotify’s Associate Director for Marketing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Kenya regional finals take place on 20 July, and everything will be streamed live on Carry1st’s YouTube channel.
The Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 is more than just another tournament. It’s a sign of where things are going in African gaming: more local flair, more crossover energy, and more visibility for a generation that’s fluent in both music and play.
🎮 Watch the action here
📅 Kenya Finals: 20 July
📅 Nigeria Finals: 3 August
📍 Grand Finals: 30–31 August, Lagos