CAF unveils calendar for 2026/27 Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigns

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the competition calendar for the 2026/27 editions of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, setting the stage for another exciting season of continental club football.

The schedule outlines key dates from the preliminary rounds through to the finals, providing participating clubs across Africa with a clear roadmap for the upcoming campaign.

According to the calendar, the preliminary rounds will commence in September, with the first phase scheduled to take place between September 4 and 13.

The second preliminary round is set for October 16 to 25, where teams will battle for places in the lucrative group stages of both competitions.

The group stage phase of the competitions will begin on November 27, 2026, and run until January 23, 2027. The six-matchday format will once again see Africa’s elite clubs compete in a home-and-away round-robin format for a place in the knockout stages.

Following the completion of the group stage, the quarterfinals are slated for February 26 to March 7, 2027, with the continent’s top eight clubs in each competition vying for a place in the last four.

The semifinals will be played between April 9 and April 17, 2027, as clubs edge closer to continental glory.

CAF has also confirmed that the finals of both the Champions League and Confederation Cup will be staged between May 9 and May 31, 2027.

However, the governing body is yet to announce the exact dates and venues for the showpiece encounters.

The release of the calendar is expected to assist clubs, national associations and broadcasters in planning their schedules well in advance as preparations intensify for another highly anticipated continental campaign.

African clubs are expected to begin finalising their squads in the coming weeks as domestic leagues conclude and qualification places for the prestigious competitions are confirmed across the continent.

CAF’s latest schedule also ensures continuity in the competition format that has been in place in recent seasons.