• TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Preliminary stage kicks off this week
• CAF introduces new financial incentives in Preliminary stage
• Record Preliminary stage participation in for 2025/26 season

The 2025/26 season of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League  officially gets underway this Friday with the kick-off of the Preliminary stages of Africa’s premier continental club competition.

This season marks a historic milestone with a record number of 62 clubs registered for the 2025/26 season, underscoring CAF’s ongoing efforts to broaden participation and enhance the competitiveness of African football.

To further support clubs across the continent, CAF has introduced a new financial initiative: teams eliminated in the first two preliminary rounds will each receive USD 100,000 to assist in covering logistical expenses.

This measure is designed to encourage broader representation and strengthen the foundation of the competitions.

Most of the Preliminary Round first-leg fixtures will be contested between 19–21 September 2025, with the second-leg matches scheduled for 26–28 September 2025.

Victorious clubs will progress to the Second Preliminary Round, set for 17–19 October (first leg) and 24–26 October 2025 (second leg).

The Group Stage will commence on 21 November 2025, culminating in the knockout phase, which is scheduled to begin on 13 March 2026.

While some of the continent’s club heavyweights will not feature this weekend, the draw which was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last month has produced several highly anticipated encounters.

Winners of last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, RS Berkane will contest the CAF Champions League this season after clinching the Moroccan championship. They face Togo’s ASC Kara in their opening encounter.

Last season’s semi-finalists, Orlando Pirates face a tricky test against Lesotho’s Lioli FC, while Zambia’s Power Dynamos meet Ivorian heavyweights, Asec Mimosas.

For full list of fixtures, CLICK HERE.

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will be beamed live across all CAF’s official broadcast partners, with exclusive behind the scenes content curated across all CAF Digital platforms, including highlights packages on CAF’s Official YouTube channel, CAF TV.

With enhanced financial support, historic levels of participation, and an exciting programme of fixtures, the 2025/26 CAF Interclub season  is set to reinforce its reputation as the pinnacle of African club football.

For more on the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, visit www.cafonline.com

-ENDS-

CAF | Communication Department

communications@cafonline.com