CAF Confirms Dates for 2026/27 African Club Competitions

Posted : 04 September 2026

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed the schedule for the opening rounds of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. The new interclub season officially begins this weekend, with first-leg matches in both competitions scheduled from September 4 to 6, 2026.

The return fixtures of the First Preliminary Round will be played from September 11 to 13. Clubs will therefore have only a few days to recover, travel and prepare for the decisive second legs.

The Second Preliminary Round will follow in October. First legs are scheduled for October 16 to 18, while the return matches will take place from October 23 to 25.

The preliminary rounds will determine the clubs that reach the group stages of Africa’s two leading club competitions. Sixteen teams will advance to the group stage of each competition after the second preliminary round.

The group phase is scheduled to begin in late November. Matchday one will take place from November 27 to 29, followed by Matchdays 2 and 3 in December and Matchdays 4 to 6 between January 8 and 24, 2027.

The knockout stages will begin with the quarter-finals in February 2027. The semi-finals are scheduled for April, while both competition finals are set to be played between May 9 and 31, 2027.

The Champions League campaign features 61 clubs, with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns among the teams receiving a bye into the Second Preliminary Round. Espérance Sportive de Tunis and RS Berkane have also been exempted from the opening round.

The Confederation Cup will feature 56 clubs. Eight of the highest-ranked teams have received byes into the Second Preliminary Round, while the remaining 48 clubs will contest 24 first-round ties.

Nigeria will be represented in the Confederation Cup by Shooting Stars, who face Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in the opening round. The winners will meet either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions in the Second Preliminary Round.

The stakes remain high, with the Champions League winners set to receive $6 million, while the Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million. CAF will also provide clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds with a $100,000 solidarity payment to assist with travel and logistical expenses.

With the first matches now approaching, clubs across Africa face an immediate test of preparation, squad depth and ability to handle demanding travel schedules. Progress through the preliminary rounds will be the first step toward continental glory.

CAF Confirms Dates for 2026/27 African Club Competitions

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