The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 campaign gets underway this weekend, with first-leg matches of the First Preliminary Round scheduled across the continent from 4–6 September. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Espérance Sportive de Tunis and RS Berkane, have been awarded byes into the Second Preliminary Round.

A total of 61 clubs entered this season's competition. The return legs of the First Preliminary Round follow on 11–13 September, before the Second Preliminary Round runs from 16–18 October, with return matches on 23–25 October. The 16 clubs that survive both preliminary rounds in each competition will advance to their respective group stages.

CAF has reaffirmed its financial commitment to participating clubs, guaranteeing USD 100,000 in support for every side eliminated during the preliminary rounds, helping to offset the travel and logistical costs of cross-continental competition.

Heavyweight clashes in the first round

Among the most anticipated ties, five-time African champions TP Mazembe make the trip to Ghana to face Medeama SC. The winners of that encounter will then face either Club Africain of Tunisia or Djoliba AC of Mali — making that section of the draw one of the tournament's most competitive.

Egyptian giants Zamalek open their campaign away against AS Port of Djibouti, while fellow Egyptian side Pyramids FC travel to Nairobi for a tough assignment against Kenyan giants Gor Mahia.

Orlando Pirates of South Africa head to Mauritius to take on Champions League debutants La Cure Waves, with AS Mangasport of Gabon or Namibia's African Stars awaiting the victors in the next round.

East African giants hit the road

Tanzania's two powerhouses both begin their campaigns away from home. Simba SC travel to Malawi to face Mighty Wanderers, while Young Africans SC meet Botswana champions Gaborone United.

Elsewhere on the continent, ASEC Mimosas of Côte d'Ivoire face ASCK of Togo, Sudanese side Al Hilal take on Aigle Noir of Burundi, and Atlético Petróleos of Angola travel to Mozambique to meet UD do Songo.

Further details on all TotalEnergies CAF Interclub fixtures are available at www.cafonline.com.