The CAF Champions League 2026/27 season is set to begin this weekend, with preliminary round matches scheduled from September 4th to 6th. This marks the official commencement of Africa's premier club football competition. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the initial fixtures will take place across various venues, setting the stage for an exciting continental showdown. A total of 61 clubs have entered the Champions League competition, all vying for the coveted continental title and the prestige that comes with being crowned African champions. The journey for these clubs begins with the rigorous preliminary rounds, designed to whittle down the field before the group stages.
Preliminary Round Schedule
The opening phase of the tournament, the first preliminary round, will see teams compete in their initial fixtures from September 4th to September 6th. Following these key first legs, clubs will prepare for the return matches. Return matches for the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League 2026/27 season are slated for September 11th through September 13th, where teams will battle for a spot in the next stage of the competition. Following the initial fixtures and their return legs, teams will then prepare for the subsequent stages of the competition, with the aim of progressing deeper into the tournament.
The second preliminary round is scheduled to commence from October 16th to October 18th. This phase will see participating clubs vie for advancement to the lucrative group stages, a significant milestone for any club in the competition. Return legs for the second preliminary round will be contested a week later, taking place between October 23rd and October 25th, definitively determining which teams progress further in the tournament and secure their place among the continent's elite.
Key Matchups and Contenders
The draw has set up several intriguing encounters and has also granted some top teams a direct entry into the later stages. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Espérance Sportive de Tunis and RS Berkane, have all received byes into the second preliminary round of the competition, allowing them to bypass the initial phase. This advantage provides these established clubs more time to prepare for their first taste of continental action this season.
Among the clubs starting in the first preliminary round, five-time African champions TP Mazembe are scheduled to travel to Ghana to face Medeama SC in their opening fixture. This promises to be a challenging encounter for the Congolese giants. The victors of the match between TP Mazembe and Medeama SC will advance to meet either Club Africain or Djoliba AC in the subsequent round, setting up another potentially high-profile clash.
Egyptian giants Zamalek are set to begin their campaign with an away match against AS Port of Djibouti, a fixture they will be keen to navigate successfully to kickstart their continental aspirations. Former champions Pyramids FC will undertake a challenging trip to Nairobi, Kenya, where they are scheduled to play against Gor Mahia, a team known for its passionate home support. South Africa’s Orlando Pirates will travel to Mauritius to compete against La Cure Waves, who are making their debut in the Champions League, adding an element of unpredictability to the tie.
Further exciting matchups include Simba SC, who are slated to travel to Malawi to face Mighty Wanderers. Young Africans SC will meet Botswana champions Gaborone United in their initial fixture, a test for both sides. Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas, another historically strong club, are drawn against ASCK of Togo. Sudanese giants Al Hilal will play against Burundi’s Aigle Noir, a fixture that will draw significant attention in East Africa. Atlético Petróleos of Angola is scheduled to travel to Mozambique to take on UD do Songo, completing a diverse set of preliminary round fixtures spread across the continent.
Competition Format and Support
The competition structure dictates that 16 successful clubs from both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup will advance to their respective group stages. This phase represents a significant step for teams aiming for continental glory, as it guarantees a minimum number of high-level matches and increased exposure. The journey to the group stage is often a grueling one, demanding consistent performance and resilience from the participating clubs.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also confirmed a financial support initiative for participating clubs, showing its commitment to developing football across the continent. Every club eliminated during the preliminary rounds of both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup will receive a substantial sum of US$100,000. This financial assistance aims to provide a baseline level of support for teams that do not progress to the later stages of the tournaments, helping them cover operational costs and invest in their future development, even if their continental journey is cut short early. This initiative is part of CAF's broader strategy to enhance the financial stability of its member clubs and promote competitive balance.
