CAF Confirms 2025/26 Interclub Competitions Calendar, Kick-off Set for September

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the calendar for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, with both competitions scheduled to begin in September 2025.

The adjustment in scheduling comes as a result of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is slated for August 2025, prompting CAF to shift the interclub competitions accordingly.

CAF Interclub Competitions Schedule

Preliminary Rounds

First Preliminary Round

• First Leg: 19–21 September 2025

• Second Leg: 26–28 September 2025

Second Preliminary Round

• First Leg: 17–19 October 2025

• Second Leg: 24–26 October 2025

Group Stage Matches

• Matchday 1: 21–23 November 2025

• Matchday 2: 28–30 November 2025

• Matchday 3: 23–25 January 2026

• Matchday 4: 30 January–1 February 2026

• Matchday 5: 6–8 February 2026

• Matchday 6: 13–15 February 2026

Knockout Phase

Quarter-finals

• First Leg: 13–15 March 2026

• Second Leg: 20–22 March 2026

Semi-finals

• First Leg: 10–12 April 2026

• Second Leg: 17–19 April 2026

Final

• Scheduled between 8–24 May 2026

Player Registration Periods

CAF has also confirmed registration windows for participating clubs as follows:

• Preliminary Round: 1–31 August 2025

• Second Preliminary Round: 1–30 September 2025

• Group Stage: 1–31 October 2025

• Knockout Stage: 1–31 January 2026

These timelines have been designed to facilitate effective planning by clubs and maintain the integrity of the competition across a crowded football calendar.