CAF confirms Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage dates

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the dates for the group stages of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, with matches set to begin in November.

The opening round of fixtures in both competitions will take place from 27 to 29 November, marking the start of the race for continental club football’s two major trophies.

Matchday two is scheduled for 4–6 December, before the teams return for the third round of matches from 18 to 20 December.

The group-stage campaign will resume in the new year, with matchday four scheduled for 8–10 January, followed by the fifth round from 15 to 17 January.

The final round of group-stage matches will be played from 22 to 24 January, when the teams will seek to secure qualification for the knockout stages.

VAR to be used in both competitions

CAF has also confirmed that video assistant referee (VAR) technology will be used throughout the group stages of both the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

The decision will bring VAR into the group-stage matches of Africa’s premier club competitions, with the technology intended to assist match officials in reviewing key decisions.

The group stages will determine which clubs advance to the knockout rounds as the continent’s leading teams compete for the two titles.

The Champions League is Africa’s top club competition, while the Confederation Cup provides another route for clubs to compete for continental honours.

With the match schedule now confirmed, participating teams can begin preparations for a demanding run of fixtures across November, December and January.

Meanwhile, the draws for the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup will be held today in Cairo.