The 2026/27 CAF Champions League First Preliminary Round kicks off on September 4, with 29 ties scheduled across Africa.
Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will host defending African champions Pyramids FC in one of the biggest ties of the opening stage.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the first-leg matches are scheduled for September 4 to 6, with the return fixtures set for September 11 to 13 as 58 clubs begin their campaigns for a place in the group stage.
The federation also noted that the 16 teams that successfully navigate the Second Preliminary Round will qualify for the group stage, which is scheduled to begin at the end of November.
“The First Preliminary Round opening legs will be played from September 4-6, with the return fixtures from September 11-13. The first legs of the Second Preliminary Round are scheduled for October 16-18, followed by the decisive return matches from October 23-25. The 16 winners will advance to the group stage, which begins at the end of November,” CAF stated.
Confederation of African Football confirmed that 61 clubs entered this season’s competition, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Espérance de Tunis, and RS Berkane receiving byes into the Second Preliminary Round.
Defending champions Sundowns will face the winner of the match between Wiliete of Angola and Foresters FC of Seychelles.
Espérance will meet either Swehly SC or Zanzibar’s KVZ FC, while RS Berkane will face the winner of the match between Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy and The Gambia’s Medina United FC.
Gor Mahia vs Pyramids
Gor Mahia will begin its continental campaign against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC at Nyayo National Stadium on September 6 at 3:00 pm East African Time (EAT).
According to CAF’s official draw, the winner of the Gor Mahia-Pyramids tie will face either South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu or Somalia’s Heegan SC in the Second Preliminary Round.
The return leg will be played in Egypt on September 13.
Also Read: Gor Mahia Eye Ksh776 million CAF Champions League Prize as Pyramids Test Looms
Full First Preliminary Round Fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (EAT) |
| Friday, September 4 | AS Port vs Zamalek SC | 8:00 pm |
| Swehly SC vs KVZ FC | 8:00 pm | |
| JS Saoura vs Horoya AC | 9:00 pm | |
| Saturday, September 5 | Aigle Noir FC vs Al Hilal SC | 4:00 pm |
| El Merriekh Bentiu vs Heegan SC | 4:00 pm | |
| CFFA vs Lijabatho FC | 5:00 pm | |
| Aiglons FC vs Sidaama Buna FC | 5:30 pm | |
| AS Mangasport vs African Stars | 5:30 pm | |
| FC San Pedro vs Rivers United | 7:00 pm | |
| FC Canchungo vs Teungueth FC | 7:00 pm | |
| Vipers SC vs FC Nouadhibou | 7:00 pm | |
| Star Sport Academy vs Medina United FC | 7:00 pm | |
| Gaborone United FC vs Young Africans SC | 8:00 pm | |
| Al Merriekh SC vs Power Dynamos | 8:00 pm | |
| Club Africain vs Djoliba AC | 9:00 pm | |
| MAS de Fès vs Rahimo FC | 10:00 pm | |
| Sunday, September 6 | La Cure Waves vs Orlando Pirates | 2:30 pm |
| Gor Mahia FC vs Pyramids FC | 3:00 pm | |
| Scotland FC vs Nsingizini Hotspurs | 4:00 pm | |
| UD do Songo vs Atlético Petróleos | 4:00 pm | |
| Mighty Wanderers vs Simba SC | 4:00 pm | |
| Les Aigles du Congo vs APR FC | 5:00 pm | |
| Medeama SC vs TP Mazembe | 6:00 pm | |
| Rangers International FC vs SOBEMAP FC | 6:00 pm | |
| Colombe Sportive vs Stade Malien | 6:00 pm | |
| Wiliete de Benguela vs Foresters FC | 6:00 pm | |
| ASCK vs ASEC Mimosas | 6:30 pm | |
| ASN Nigelec vs MC Alger | 6:30 pm | |
| TBC | 15 de Agosto vs Fomboni FC | TBC |
Also Read: Gor Mahia Upgrades Coach’s Vehicle to Nissan X-Trail SUV
CAF Champions League Prize Money
The eventual winners of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League will receive USD 6 million, which amounts to KSh 776.7 million.
CAF has also announced a KSh 12.94 million financial support package for clubs eliminated during the preliminary rounds to help cover travel and other logistical expenses.
“CAF will also provide clubs eliminated in the Preliminary Rounds with a USD 100,000 subvention to assist with travel and other logistical costs, ensuring that even those whose campaigns end early receive financial support,” CAF noted.
According to the federation, the continental campaign will culminate with the final scheduled within the May 9 to 31, 2027 window.
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