The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 season launches this weekend, with first-leg matches in the First Preliminary Round scheduled from 4 to 6 September. The return legs will follow from 11 to 13 September, setting the stage for a continent-wide battle for African club glory.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Tunisia's Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Morocco's RS Berkane, have received byes into the Second Preliminary Round, which runs from 16 to 18 October — with return legs from 23 to 25 October. The 16 clubs that survive both preliminary rounds in each competition will advance to the group stage.

A total of 61 clubs entered the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League this season, comprising former African champions, established continental heavyweights, and ambitious debutants. CAF has committed to providing every club eliminated during the preliminary rounds with $100,000 in financial support to help cover travel and logistical costs.

Standout first-round fixtures

Among the most compelling ties, five-time African champions TP Mazembe travel to face Ghana's Medeama SC. The winner of that encounter will then face either Tunisia's Club Africain or Mali's Djoliba AC — making this one of the most demanding sections of the draw.

Egyptian giants Zamalek open their campaign away against AS Port of Djibouti, while former champions Pyramids FC make a challenging trip to Nairobi to meet Kenyan side Gor Mahia.

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

East Africa contributes two highly anticipated ties. Tanzania's Simba SC travel to Malawi to face Mighty Wanderers, while fellow Tanzanian side Young Africans SC meet Botswana champions Gaborone United on the road.

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