CAF Confirms Format Changes and Full Calendar for 2026/27 Champions League and Confederation Cup

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has issued key updates on the competition format and official dates for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, CL, and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, CC.

The changes, communicated to all Member Associations and clubs, affect the preliminary stages and progression path between the two competitions.

Format Changes for Preliminary Rounds 

CAF has confirmed that the additional round of the second preliminary round in the Confederation Cup remains cancelled for the 2026/27 season.

As a result of this adjustment:

1. No Drop-down to CC: Teams eliminated in the second preliminary round of the Champions League will no longer transition into the Confederation Cup. Their continental campaign ends at that stage.

2. Direct Path to Group Stage: Teams that advance from the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup will proceed directly to the group stage, streamlining the route to the main phase of the competition.

The decision is aimed at reducing fixture congestion and creating a clearer competition structure for both tournaments.

Full 2026/27 Interclubs Calendar Released

CAF has also published the complete match dates for both the Champions League and Confederation Cup. All fixtures will be played across the standard CAF weekends.

2026/27 CAF Interclubs Calendar

Preliminary Rounds

- 1st Preliminary Round: 1st leg 4-6 September 2026 | 2nd leg 11-13 September 2026  

- 2nd Preliminary Round: 1st leg 16-18 October 2026 | 2nd leg 23-25 October 2026  

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 

- Quarter Finals: 1st leg 26-28 February 2027 | 2nd leg 5-7 March 2027  

- Semi Finals: 1st leg 9-11 April 2027 | 2nd leg 16-18 April 2027  

Finals

Both the Champions League and Confederation Cup finals will take place within the period 9–31 May 2027. Exact dates and host venues will be communicated by CAF in due course.

With Nigeria among the 12 Member Associations confirmed for two slots per competition, NPFL clubs will now plan their pre-season and squad build-up around these fixed dates. The removal of the CL-to-CC drop-down means second preliminary round ties in the Champions League carry higher stakes for Nigerian representatives.

(C) Charles Mayuku