Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will have more than continental glory on their minds when the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League gets underway in September.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has confirmed the calendar for the new CAF Champions League season, with the winners once again set to pocket USD 6 million (approximately R78 million).
Orlando Pirates booked their place in the competition after winning the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title, while Mamelodi Sundowns return as the defending CAF Champions League champions, looking to retain the crown they lifted last season.
ORLANDO PIRATES AND MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CHASING R78 MILLION
South Africa’s two giants will begin their continental campaigns in the preliminary rounds during September and October before turning their attention to the lucrative group stage.
The first preliminary round will be played between 4 and 13 September, followed by the second preliminary round from 16 to 25 October.
Should both clubs progress, the group stage begins at the end of November and runs through to January 2027, with six matches standing between them and a place in the knockout rounds.
The road to the trophy then intensifies with the quarter-finals in February and March, the semi-finals in April, before the final takes place between 9 and 31 May 2027.
LONG ROAD TO CONTINENTAL GLORY
Both Pirates and Sundowns know exactly what it takes to compete deep into the competition, but lifting the trophy will require navigating a demanding campaign spanning almost nine months.
Beyond the prestige of being crowned African champions, the financial reward could also transform a club’s transfer plans and strengthen its squad for future domestic and continental campaigns.
With R78 million waiting for the eventual champions, every knockout tie will carry enormous significance.
2026/27 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KEY DATES
- First preliminary round: 4-6 September (first leg), 11-13 September (second leg)
- Second preliminary round: 16-18 October (first leg), 23-25 October (second leg)
- Group stage: 27 November 2026 – 24 January 2027
- Quarter-finals: 26 February – 7 March 2027
- Semi-finals: 9-18 April 2027
- Final: 9-31 May 2027.
Due to Sundowns’ high ranking and defending champions stadium, the Tshwane giants will skip the first preliminary round.