The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the full schedule for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, marking a key shift in the African football calendar.
The competitions will kick off in September 2025, later than usual, to accommodate the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which takes place in August.
CAF Interclub Competition Schedule – 2025/26
Preliminary Rounds
• First Preliminary Round
• First Leg: September 19–21, 2025
• Second Leg: September 26–28, 2025
• Second Preliminary Round
• First Leg: October 17–19, 2025
• Second Leg: October 24–26, 2025
Group Stage
• Matchday 1: November 21–23, 2025
• Matchday 2: November 28–30, 2025
• Matchday 3: January 23–25, 2026
• Matchday 4: January 30 – February 1, 2026
• Matchday 5: February 6–8, 2026
• Matchday 6: February 13–15, 2026
Knockout Phase
• Quarter-Finals
• First Leg: March 13–15, 2026
• Second Leg: March 20–22, 2026
• Semi-Finals
• First Leg: April 10–12, 2026
• Second Leg: April 17–19, 2026
• Final: To be played between May 8 and 24, 2026
Player Registration Windows
• Preliminary Round: August 1–31, 2025
• Second Preliminary Round: September 1–30, 2025
• Group Stage: October 1–31, 2025
• Knockout Stage: January 1–31, 2026
CAF says this revised calendar ensures coordination with continental and international fixtures while allowing clubs and federations time for squad registration and logistical planning.
With the CHAN tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup, and AFCON 2027 qualifiers also in the mix, African football is set for a packed and pivotal 2025/26 season.