CAF Champions League 2026/27

The **CAF Champions League** stands as the premier annual club football competition in Africa. Organized by the **Confederation of African Football (CAF)**, the tournament sits at the very top of the continental pyramid, ranking above the second-tier **CAF Confederation Cup**. It was originally established under the name African Cup of Champions Clubs, with the first edition taking place in 1965, before being rebranded to its current title in 1997.

Qualification is primarily reserved for national league champions from all 54 **CAF** member associations. Additionally, runners-up from the 12 highest-ranked associations, determined by the **CAF** five-year ranking, enter the competition directly. Teams eliminated in the second preliminary round of this tournament drop down to the **CAF Confederation Cup** playoffs.

The format involves qualifying rounds followed by a group stage comprising 16 teams divided into four groups of four. These matches are played as home-and-away round-robin ties. The top two teams from each group advance to a knockout phase, which includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. All knockout matches are played over two legs. Tie-breakers utilize the away goals rule, followed by penalties if necessary.

**Al Ahly** (Egypt) is the most successful club with 12 titles. **TP Mazembe** (DR Congo) and **Zamalek** (Egypt) follow with five titles each. The current defending champion is **Mamelodi Sundowns** (South Africa), who won the 2026 final. Notable history includes the 2019 final controversy where **Esperance de Tunis** was awarded the title after a match against **Wydad Casablanca** was abandoned. The competition has had title sponsors including **Orange** (2009–2016) and **TotalEnergies** (2017–present).