CAF Sets 2025/26 Start Date for Champions League and Confederation Cup

Joel JJ By Joel JJ β€’ 7th July 2025


CAF Sets 2025/26 Start Date for Champions League and Confederation Cup

As the new season of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup approaches, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that the 2025/26 competitions will begin in September.

This schedule adjustment is due to the organization of the CHAN tournament, which will take place in August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Yanga, as champions of the NBC Premier League, will represent Tanzania in the CAF Champions League alongside Simba, who finished second. Meanwhile, Azam FC and Singida BS will participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.

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 Matches:

  • 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 Stage:
Quarterfinals:

  • First leg: March 13–15, 2026

  • Second leg: March 20–22, 2026

Semifinals:

  • First leg: April 10–12, 2026

  • Second leg: April 17–19, 2026

Final:

  • Scheduled to be played between May 8 and 24, 2026

Player Registration Windows:

CAF has also confirmed the registration periods for participating clubs:

  • First 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


  

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