CAF Champions League Billets

What the preliminary round brings

The 2026/27 CAF Champions League preliminary round moves into its first legs on Friday 16 October 2026, with a wave of two-legged ties deciding which clubs progress into the Group Stage. African Stars host Orlando Pirates, APR FC face Zamalek, Asswehly SC take on Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and CFFA meet Young Africans, all kicking off at 18:00 local time in their respective home countries.

Fixtures to plan around

• African Stars vs Orlando Pirates, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• APR FC vs Zamalek, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• Asswehly SC vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• CFFA vs Young Africans, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• Horoya vs Al-Merrikh, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• Maghreb As De Fès vs ASEC Mimosas, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026
• Rangers International vs MC Alger, 1st Leg, Fri 16 Oct 2026

With the tie decided on aggregate over two legs, the away result in this opening fixture often shapes how much pressure each side carries into the return match, making both games worth following for African Stars, Orlando Pirates, APR FC and Asswehly SC supporters.

A continent-wide competition

The CAF Champions League draws its 60 entrants from across Africa, and this round's venues reflect that spread, with matches played at grounds including the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt, Stade Intwari in Bujumbura and St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende, Uganda, which holds 32,384 spectators. Other ties this round are scheduled at the Stade Olympique d'Oran in Algeria and the Stade de Franceville in Gabon, underlining how far clubs and their travelling fans have to journey between legs.

Choosing the right tickets

With fixtures spread across so many countries and stadiums, confirming the exact venue, leg and kick-off time for a match is especially important in this competition before buying. Ticketsfootball.net compares prices from StubHub, Viagogo, Hellotickets, Football Ticket Net, Gigsberg and SportsEvents365, making it easier to see how listings for the same CAF Champions League fixture differ across resale partners.

Fans following clubs elsewhere in the preliminary round can also track Al-Merrikh, ASEC Mimosas, Club Africain and Mamelodi Sundowns, all part of this season's wider field.

The road to the final

Winners of the preliminary round ties advance into the Group Stage, the phase that ultimately sets up the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals on the way to the Final. Clubs from North and Southern Africa have traditionally been among the competition's strongest performers, and this year's opening round again features several sides with recent continental pedigree among the 60 clubs chasing the trophy.

Supporters wanting to follow how the bracket develops can check the Group Stage page once the preliminary ties are settled and the wider draw takes shape.