In a major shift that’s set to reshape the African football landscape, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the calendar for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. The interclub competitions, which showcase the best football talent across the continent, are now scheduled to kick off in September 2025. This change comes as a result of the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be played in August, prompting Confederation of African Football to move its usual start date.
CAF Unleashes New Era
The adjustment highlights CAF’s commitment to organizing a smooth and conflict-free football calendar for African clubs and national teams. The change also gives clubs ample time to prepare for the season while maintaining competitive balance and structure.
According to the official CAF announcement, the journey begins with the Preliminary Rounds. The First Preliminary Round will kick off with first-leg matches from September 19 to 21, 2025, followed by the second leg between September 26 and 28, 2025. The Second Preliminary Round comes next, with fixtures scheduled for October 17 to 19 and October 24 to 26.
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The real drama of African club football will unfold during the Group Stage, where teams will battle for supremacy over six matchdays. Matchday 1 will be played from November 21 to 23, 2025, while Matchday 2 follows quickly from November 28 to 30, 2025. After a short break during the festive season, CAF will resume the group matches in January. Matchday 3 is set for January 23 to 25, 2026, Matchday 4 on January 30 to February 1, Matchday 5 from February 6 to 8, and Matchday 6 closing out the group phase from February 13 to 15, 2026.
From there, the competition advances to the Knockout Phase, where only the strongest clubs will survive. The Quarter-finals begin with first-leg matches from March 13 to 15, 2026, and return legs from March 20 to 22, 2026. The Semi-finals follow in April, with first legs on April 10 to 12, and second legs between April 17 and 19, 2026.
The grand finale of the CAF interclub season is scheduled to be played between May 8 and 24, 2026. The exact date and venue will be confirmed closer to the time, but the final promises to be a showcase of elite African football, with fans across the continent watching eagerly.
To ensure clubs are fully prepared and squads are registered in time, CAF also released the Player Registration Periods. For clubs participating in the Preliminary Round, the registration window is open from August 1 to 31, 2025. For the Second Preliminary Round, the registration period runs from September 1 to 30, 2025. Clubs entering or continuing in the Group Stage must register their players between October 1 and 31, 2025. The final window for player updates is from January 1 to 31, 2026, ahead of the Knockout Stage.
With this comprehensive schedule, CAF is not only keeping clubs informed but also showing a high level of professionalism in managing African football. The new dates reflect CAF’s effort to minimize fixture congestion while prioritizing performance and player welfare. This clarity is expected to help coaches, administrators, and players prepare better, ultimately leading to a higher quality of football on the pitch.
African football fans are now eagerly awaiting what promises to be one of the most exciting CAF seasons in recent memory. The 2025/26 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will undoubtedly bring unforgettable moments, shocking upsets, and showcase future stars of the global game.
With this bold move, CAF continues to elevate its competitions and place African club football firmly on the world stage.
