The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the complete roadmap and registration calendar for the 2025/2026 Inter-Club Competitions, including the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. The announcement outlines key competition dates, player registration windows, and match schedules, setting the stage for another thrilling season of African club football.
Competition Schedule
According to the newly published timetable, the campaign will kick off with the Preliminary Round, scheduled for 19–21 September 2025 (first legs) and 26–28 September 2025 (second legs). The second preliminary round will follow from 17–19 October (first legs) and 24–26 October (second legs).
The group stage matches will span from November 2025 through February 2026:
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 dates have also been confirmed:
Quarter-finals: 13–15 March (first legs) and 20–22 March 2026 (second legs)
Semi-finals: 10–12 April (first legs) and 17–19 April 2026 (second legs)
Finals: Between 8 and 24 May 2026 for both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup
Player Registration Periods
CAF has also detailed four specific windows for player registration to ensure clubs are well-prepared:
1. 1st Registration Period
Dates: 1 – 31 August 2025
Eligibility: Players participating in the Preliminary Round
ITC Deadline: 31 August 2025
2. 2nd Registration Period
Dates: 1 – 30 September 2025
Eligibility: Players eligible from the Second Preliminary Round
ITC Deadline: 30 September 2025
3. Group Stage Registration Period
Dates: 1 – 31 October 2025
Eligibility: Players eligible from the Group Stage
ITC Deadline: 31 October 2025
4. Remaining Group Stage & Knockout Registration Period
Dates: 1 – 31 January 2026
Eligibility: Players eligible for the final group games and knockout rounds
ITC Deadline: 31 January 2026
With the roadmap now made public, national football associations and participating clubs are expected to begin preparations in earnest to meet CAF’s requirements and deadlines.
This announcement comes as anticipation builds across the continent for the new season, with clubs eyeing glory on Africa’s biggest football stages. CAF has encouraged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the calendar to ensure a smooth and successful 2025/2026 campaign.
