CAF confirms the schedule for the 2026–2027 Champions League and Confederation Cup season
This new campaign will begin in September 2026 with the preliminary rounds, whilst the finals of both competitions will take place between 9 and 31 May 2027.
The participating clubs will enter the fray from the first weekend of September. The first qualifying round will be played from 4 to 6 September 2026 for the first legs, with the return legs scheduled for 11 to 13 September. The second qualifying round will follow, with the first legs taking place from 16 to 18 October, followed by the second legs from 23 to 25 October 2026.
The group stage will run from November 2026 to January 2027, whilst the finals of both competitions will be played between 9 and 31 May 2027.
The full schedule for the 2026–2027 season:
Preliminary rounds:
- First preliminary round: 4–6 September 2026 (First leg)
- First preliminary round: 11–13 September 2026 (Second leg)
- Second preliminary round: 16–18 October 2026 (First leg)
- Second qualifying round: 23–25 October 2026 (Second leg)
Group stage:
- Matchday 1: 27–29 November 2026
- Matchday 2: 4–6 December 2026
- Matchday 3: 18–20 December 2026
- Matchday 4: 8–10 January 2027
- Matchday 5: 15–17 January 2027
- Matchday 6: 22–24 January 2027
Knockout stage matches:
- Quarter-finals: 26–28 February 2027 (First leg)
- Quarter-finals: 5–7 March 2027 (Second leg)
- Semi-finals: 9–11 April 2027 (First leg)
- Semi-finals: 16–18 April 2027 (Second leg)
- Finals: 9–31 May 2027
