View source for CAF Champions League

{{short description|Premier African club football competition}}
{{infobox football tournament
|current                      = [[2025–26 CAF Champions League]]
|logo                         = CAF Champions League.png
|organiser                    = [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
|founded                      = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1964}}<br>(rebranded in 1997)
|region                       = Africa
|number of teams              = {{ubl|16 (group stage)|68 (total)|(from 56 associations)}}
|qualifier for                = {{ubl|[[CAF Super Cup]]|[[FIFA Club World Cup]]|[[FIFA Intercontinental Cup]]}}
|related comps                = [[CAF Confederation Cup]]
|current champions            = {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Pyramids FC|Pyramids]] (1st title)
|most successful club         = {{nowrap|{{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly]] {{nowrap|(12 titles)}}}}
|broadcasters                 = [[#Broadcast coverage|List of broadcasters]]
|website                      = {{Official website|https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/}}
}}

The '''CAF Champions League''', known for sponsorship purposes as the '''[[TotalEnergies]] CAF Champions League'''<ref>{{cite web|title=CAF Sponsors|url=http://www.cafonline.com/competitions/sponsors/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> and formerly the '''African Cup of Champions Clubs''', is an annual [[football club (association football)|club football]] competition organized by the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) and contested by [[list of top-division football clubs in CAF countries|top-division African clubs]], deciding the competition winners through a round robin group stage to qualify for a double-legged knockout stage, and then a home and away final. It is the most prestigious club competition in African football.

The winner of the each season of the competition earns a berth for the [[FIFA Club World Cup]], a tournament contested between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations, faces the winner of the [[CAF Confederation Cup]] in the following season's [[CAF Super Cup]] and from 2024 onwards, along with the next 4 best teams, a place in the new [[FIFA Intercontinental Cup]]. Clubs that finish as runners-up their national leagues, having not qualified for the Champions League, are eligible for the second-tier [[CAF Confederation Cup]].

[[Egyptian Football Association|Egyptian]] clubs have the highest number of victories (19 titles), followed by [[Royal Moroccan Football Federation|Morocco]] with 7. Egypt also has the largest number of winning teams, with four clubs having won the title. The competition has been won by 26 clubs, 12 of which have won it more than once. [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]] is the most successful club in the competition's history, having it a record 12 times. [[Pyramids FC]] are the current African champions, having beaten [[Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.]] 3–2 on aggregate in the [[2025 CAF Champions League final|2025 final]].

==History==
Established in 1964 as the '''''African Cup of Champions Clubs''''', the first team to lift the trophy was [[Cameroon]]ian team [[Oryx Douala]] who beat [[Stade Malien]] of [[Mali]] 2–1 in a one-off final.<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1964/65|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup64.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705155836/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup64.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1966 edition introduced the two-legged 'home and away' final, which saw another Malian team [[AS Real Bamako]] take on [[Stade d'Abidjan]] of [[Ivory Coast]]. Real Bamako won the home leg 3–1 but it all came apart for them in the away game in Abidjan as the Ivorians went on to win 4–1 to take the title 5–4 on aggregate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1966|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup66.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=1 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801234931/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup66.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1967 when [[Asante Kotoko S.C.|Asante Kotoko]] of Ghana met [[TP Mazembe]] of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (or the DRC for short), both matches ended in draws (1–1 and 2–2 respectively). CAF arranged a play-off, but Kotoko failed to appear<ref>{{cite web|title=Asante Kotoko, the great porcupines of Africa|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=1884681/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106153914/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=1884681/|archive-date=6 January 2014|website=[[FIFA|FIFA.com]]|access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> and the title was handed to Mazembe, who went on to win the title again the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1967|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup67.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=26 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726222351/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup67.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, the Ghanaians got their revenge in 1970, when Kotoko and Mazembe once again met in the final. Once again, the first game ended 1–1, but against expectation, the Ghanaians ran out 2–1 winners in their away game to lift the title that had eluded them three years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1970|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup70.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=13 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813134343/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup70.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1970s saw a remarkable rise in the fortunes of Cameroonian club football, which created the platform of success enjoyed by [[Cameroon]]ian football at international level today.

Between 1971 and 1980 Cameroonian teams won the cup four times, with [[Canon Yaoundé]] taking three titles (1971,<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1971|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup71.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814222344/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup71.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 1978<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1978|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup78.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814222354/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup78.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and 1980<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1980|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup80.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814222346/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup80.html|url-status=live}}</ref>) and [[Union Douala|US Douala]] lifting the cup in 1979. In between the Cameroonian victories the honor was shared with another team enjoying a golden age, Guinean side [[Hafia Football Club|Hafia Conakry]], who won it three times during this period (1972,<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1972|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup72.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=25 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225014623/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup72.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 1975<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1975|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup75.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814222348/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup75.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and 1977<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1977|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup77.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814222351/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup77.html|url-status=live}}</ref>)

===1997–present: Change of name and rise in reputation===
Apart from the introduction of the [[away goals rule]], very little changed in this competition until 1997, when CAF under [[Issa Hayatou]] took the bold step to follow the lead established a few years earlier by UEFA by creating a league/group stage in the tournament and changing the name to the '''CAF Champions League''' (in line with UEFA's [[UEFA Champions League|own Champions League]]). CAF also introduced prize money for participants for the first time with the initial offering of US$1 million to the winners and US$750,000 to the runners-up, making the rebranded competition the richest African club competition at the time.

In the new format, the league champions of the respective CAF member countries go through a series of qualification rounds until a round of 16 stage. The 8 winners are then drawn into two groups of 4 teams each, with each team playing each other on a home and away basis. At the end of the league stage, the top team in each group met in the final, in two-legged games (home and away). In [[2001 CAF Champions League|the 2001 season]], the CAF introduced the semi-final stage after group stage, then the top two teams in each group would meet in the semi-finals, with the winners going through to contest the final.

Beginning with [[2009 CAF Champions League|the 2009 season]], the prize money increased to $1.5 million for the champions and $1 million for the runner-ups. Since the competition rebranded in 1997, teams from North Africa have come to dominate the competition and its records. Morocco's [[Raja CA|Raja Casablanca]] won two of the first three editions,<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1997|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup97.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206051022/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup97.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but Al Ahly became the most successful team, winning the [[2001 CAF Champions League|2001]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2001|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup01.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=31 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731203601/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2005 CAF Champions League|2005]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2005|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup05.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724105144/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup05.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2006 CAF Champions League|2006]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2006|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup06.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724105150/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup06.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2008 CAF Champions League|2008]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2008|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup08.html|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=2022-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730154317/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup08.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[2012 CAF Champions League|2012]] editions,<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2012|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2012.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929172906/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]] managed to be champions in [[2002 CAF Champions League|2002]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2002|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup02.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121114644/http://rsssf.com/tablesa/afcup02.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tunisian teams broke into the winners' circle with [[Étoile Sportive du Sahel|Étoile du Sahel]] winning [[2007 CAF Champions League|the 2007 edition]] after being a losing finalist in [[2004 CAF Champions League|2004]] and [[2005 CAF Champions League|2005]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2007|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup07.html|access-date=9 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929164127/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup07.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For its part, [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis|Espérance de Tunis]] achieved its second continental title in [[2011 CAF Champions League|2011]] after having lost in the finals in the [[1999 CAF Champions League|1999]], [[2000 CAF Champions League|2000]], [[2010 CAF Champions League|2010]] and [[2012 CAF Champions League|2012]] editions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2011|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2011.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128143205/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2011.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the clear dominance of North African teams, Nigerian club [[Enyimba F.C.|Enyimba]] won their first two titles back-to-back in [[2003 CAF Champions League|2003]] and [[2004 CAF Champions League|2004]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2003|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup03.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923155509/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup03.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2004|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup04.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007230553/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup04.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[ASEC Mimosas]] from Ivory Coast and [[Accra Hearts of Oak S.C.|Accra Hearts of Oak]] from Ghana added two championships for West Africa. In [[2010 CAF Champions League|2010]], [[TP Mazembe]] from [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|the DRC]] became the first club to repeat as champions on two occasions, with the first pair of wins arriving in [[1967 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1967]] and [[1968 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1968]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1967|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup67.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=26 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726222351/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup67.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1968|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup68.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=13 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813134343/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup68.html|url-status=live}}</ref> before repeating the feat again in [[2009 CAF Champions League|2009]] and [[2010 CAF Champions League|2010]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2009|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup09.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924221319/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup09.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 2010|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2010.html|access-date=10 February 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=4 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804050202/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup2010.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the group phase was expanded from 2 groups of 4 teams to 4 groups of 16, with the automatic addition of the quarter-finals stage.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 May 2016|title=16 Clubs for Group Phase of CC and CL effective 2017|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/16-clubs-for-group-phase-of-cc-and-cl-effective-2017/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=30 May 2016|title=New adopted format for Club Competitions|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/new-adopted-format-for-club-competitions/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=20 March 2018|title=Draw Procedures for Interclubs Group Phase|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/draw-procedures-for-interclubs-group-phase/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref>

The [[2020–21 CAF Champions League|2020–21 season]] was played behind closed doors due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Africa]] in line with [[impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|global football leagues and competitions]]. Nevertheless, Al Ahly faced [[sports rivalry|bitter rivals]] [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]] in [[2020 CAF Champions League final|an-all Egyptian final]] (the first time two clubs from the same country compete in any final in the competition's history),<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 November 2020|title=Zamalek v Al Ahly - Head to Head in CAF Champions League|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/news/zamalek-v-al-ahly-head-to-head-in-caf-champions-league|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211010103/https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/news/zamalek-v-al-ahly-head-to-head-in-caf-champions-league|archive-date=11 February 2022|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> with the former emerging victorious and winning its ninth title.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 November 2020|title=Ahly down Zamalek to win record extending ninth Champions League crown|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/ahly-down-zamalek-to-win-record-extending-ninth-champions-league-crown|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211010105/https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/ahly-down-zamalek-to-win-record-extending-ninth-champions-league-crown|archive-date=11 February 2022|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> Al Ahly [[2021 CAF Champions League final|successfully defended their title for a record-extending 10th time]] the following season by beating 10-men [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]] of South Africa,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Al Ahly secure 'Al Ashra' with victory over 10-man Chiefs|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/2021/news/al-ahly-secure-al-ashra-with-victory-over-10-man-chiefs|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=10 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210193517/https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/2021/news/al-ahly-secure-al-ashra-with-victory-over-10-man-chiefs|archive-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> but were unable to secure a 3rd consecutive title in a row and 11th title [[2022 CAF Champions League final|in 2022]] as they were defeated 2–0 by Moroccan club [[Wydad AC]] who instead captured their 3rd title.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 May 2022|title=El Moutaraji double delivers third TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title to Wydad|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/news/el-moutaraji-double-delivers-third-totalenergies-caf-champions-league-title-to-w|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> With a return to [[two-legged tie|two-legged]] finals after a 24-month hiatus owing to the pandemic, Al Ahly roared back, got their revenge [[2022–23 CAF Champions League|the following season]] and wrestled the title back from Wydad, thus claiming their 11th title [[2023 CAF Champions League final|in 2023]] with a 3–2 aggregate win thanks to forward Mohamed Abdelmoneim's tie-breaking goal<ref>{{cite web|date=11 June 2023|title=Abdelmonem goal hands Ahly record extending 11th TotalEnergies CAF CL title|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/abdelmonem-goal-hands-ahly-record-extending-11th-totalenergies-caf-cl-title/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref> and successfully defended it for the second time in the space of half a decade (5 years) [[2024 CAF Champions League final|in 2024]] for a record extending 12th title with a 1–0 aggregate win over Tunisia's Esperance.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 May 2024|title=Ahly crowned champions of Africa for record-extending 12th title|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/ahly-crowned-champions-of-africa-for-record-extending-12th-title/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

With the introduction of the [[Africa Football League]] in the 2023–24 season, CAF attempted to establish a new competition to rival the CAF Champions League. However, the Africa Football League failed to generate the same level of popular enthusiasm and only lasted for a single edition. The CAF Champions League remains Africa's premier club competition, boasting the highest prize money on the continent.<ref name="AfFL">{{cite news|date=13 July 2023|title=New African Football League to start on Oct. 20, says Infantino|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/infantino-reveals-new-african-football-league-start-oct-20-2023-07-13/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713170551/https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/infantino-reveals-new-african-football-league-start-oct-20-2023-07-13/|archive-date=13 July 2023|work=[[Reuters]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gleeson|first=Mark|date=9 August 2022|title=Africa to announce $100-milion Super League plans on Wednesday|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/africa-announce-100-milion-super-league-plans-wednesday-2022-08-09/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810012751/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/africa-announce-100-milion-super-league-plans-wednesday-2022-08-09/|archive-date=10 August 2022|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>

==Structure and qualification==

=== Qualification ===
The CAF Champions League is open to the winners of all CAF-affiliated national leagues, as well as the title holders from the previous season. From [[2004 CAF Champions League|the 2004 season]] onward, with the merging of the [[CAF Cup]] and the [[African Cup Winners' Cup]] to create the second-tier [[CAF Confederation Cup]], the runners-up of football leagues of [[CAF 5-year ranking|the 12 highest-ranked countries]] also enter the tournament, making up a total of 64 in-competition teams. The 12 countries would be ranked based on the performance of their clubs in the previous 5 seasons/editions of the competition (the plain definition of the ''[[CAF 5-year ranking]]'').<ref>{{cite web|access-date=27 May 2005|url=http://www.sportscheduler.co.sz/caf_champions_league_04.htm|title=The 8th MTN CAF Champions League 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318090733/http://www.sportscheduler.co.sz/caf_champions_league_04.htm|archive-date=18 March 2005|website=Sport Scheduler|location=[[Mbabane]], [[eswatini|Swaziland]]}}</ref>

The number of teams that each association enters into the CAF Champions League is determined annually through criteria as set by the CAF Competitions Committee.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 September 2011|title=Regulations of the CAF Champions League until 2017|url=https://cdn.ghanasoccernet.com/resources/cl%20Eng.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118061439/https://cdn.ghanasoccernet.com/resources/cl%20Eng.pdf|archive-date=18 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 September 2021|title=Current regulations of the CAF Champions League|url=https://www.cafonline.com/media/4sghcmih/dzccwlfeawo1gewhntcj.pdf|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> The higher an association's ranking as determined by the criteria, the more teams represent the association in the Champions League, and the fewer qualification rounds the association's teams must compete in.

The CAF Champions League operates primarily as a knockout competition, with trim-down qualification rounds, a group stage, a two-legged knockout stage and a two-legged final. At the start of the competition, the 64 qualified teams enter 2 qualification rounds: the preliminary stage and the first round. After the first qualifying round, the remaining teams are split into four groups of 4, whereas the teams each first-round winner vanquished transfer to the second qualification round of the Confederation Cup for hopes of group stage progression. The winners and runners-up of each group progress to the [[two-legged tie|two-legged]] knockout stage for hopes of progression to a two-legged final for a chance to lift the trophy for their member association.

== Sponsorship ==
In October 2004, [[MTN Group|MTN]] contracted a four-year deal to sponsor CAF's competitions worth US$12.5 million, which at that time was the biggest sponsorship deal in African sporting history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3763112.stm|title=CAF signs sponsorship deal|date=21 October 2004|website=[[BBC News]]|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602085134/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3763112.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, CAF put a value of [[euro|€]]100 million for a comprehensive and long-term package of its competitions when it opened tenders for a new sponsor, which was scooped up by French telecommunications giant [[Orange S.A.|Orange]] through the signing of an eight-year deal the following year in July, whose terms were not disclosed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ozabs-soccer-africa-sponsor-20090728-idAFJOE56R0N320090728|title=Orange signs deal to sponsor African soccer competitions|date=28 July 2009|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602085134/https://www.reuters.com/article/ozabs-soccer-africa-sponsor-20090728-idAFJOE56R0N320090728|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 21 July 2016, French energy and petroleum giant, [[TotalEnergies]]<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Total is Transforming and Becoming TotalEnergies|url=https://www.totalenergies.com/media/news/press-releases/total-transforming-and-becoming-totalenergies|publisher=[[TotalEnergies]]|date=28 May 2021|access-date=28 May 2022|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118122842/https://totalenergies.com/media/news/press-releases/total-transforming-and-becoming-totalenergies|url-status=live}}</ref> (at the time known as ''Total S.A.'') secured an 8-year sponsorship package from CAF to support its competitions, including its main competition, the [[Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref name="TotalEnergies" /><ref>{{cite web|date=21 July 2016|title=Total to sponsor CAF competitions for the next eight years|url=http://www.africanews.com/2016/07/21/total-to-sponsor-caf-competitions-for-the-next-eight-years/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425200729/http://www.africanews.com/2016/07/21/total-to-sponsor-caf-competitions-for-the-next-eight-years/|archive-date=25 April 2019|website=[[Africanews]]|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>

'''Current Sponsors:'''

{| class="wikitable" style="width:25%"
|-
!Title Sponsor !!Official Sponsors !! Former Sponsor !!Ball Supplier
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
*[[TotalEnergies]]<ref name="TotalEnergies">{{cite web|date=21 July 2016|title=Total, Title Sponsor of the Africa Cup of Nations and Partner of African Football|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/total-title-sponsor-of-the-africa-cup-of-nations-and-partner-of-african-football/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref>
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Orange S.A.|Orange]]<ref>{{cite web|date=16 December 2016|title=Orange signs new eight-year partnership with CAF|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/news/orange-signs-new-eight-year-partnership-with-caf/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref>
*[[1xBet]]<ref>{{cite web|date=6 February 2019|title=1xBet - Official sponsor of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) tournaments|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/1xbet-official-sponsor-of-the-confederation-africaine-de-football-caf-tournament/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref>
*[[TikTok]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Matthew|last=Glendinning|date=6 January 2022|title=TikTok signs one-year CAF sponsorship, Umbro inks technical deal|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tiktok-signs-one-year-caf-sponsorship-umbro-inks-technical-deal/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308195155/https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tiktok-signs-one-year-caf-sponsorship-umbro-inks-technical-deal/|archive-date=8 March 2022|website=SportBusiness|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 January 2022|title=TikTok unites African football fans through partnership with Confederation of African Football|url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-africa/tiktok-sponsors-caf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627060722/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-africa/tiktok-sponsors-caf|archive-date=27 June 2022|website=[[TikTok|TikTok Newsroom]]|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 January 2022|url=https://www.soccerex.com/insight/articles/2021/tiktok-signs-one-year-caf-sponsorship-deal|title=TikTok signs one-year CAF sponsorship deal|website=[[Soccerex]]|access-date=30 May 2022|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109130538/https://www.soccerex.com/insight/articles/2021/tiktok-signs-one-year-caf-sponsorship-deal|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Qnet|QNET]]<ref>{{cite web|date=24 February 2018|title=QNET announces Sponsorship of Total CAF Champions League, Total CAF Confederation Cup, Total CAF Super Cup|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/qnet-announces-sponsorship-of-total-caf-champions-league-total-caf-confederation/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref>
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Umbro]]<ref>{{cite web|date=5 January 2022|title=BUILDING AFRICAN FOOTBALL TOGETHER: UMBRO AND CAF ENTER INTO MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/news/building-african-football-together-umbro-and-caf-enter-into-multi-year-partnersh|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602132819/https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/news/building-african-football-together-umbro-and-caf-enter-into-multi-year-partnersh|archive-date=2 June 2022|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Soumik|last=Thakur|date=6 January 2022|url=https://sportsmintmedia.com/umbro-pens-down-sponsorship-deal-with-caf/|title=Umbro pens down sponsorship deal with CAF|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913002056/https://sportsmintmedia.com/umbro-pens-down-sponsorship-deal-with-caf/|archive-date=13 September 2022|website=SportsMint Media|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
*[[puma (brand)|Puma]]<ref>{{cite web|date=10 October 2023|title=CAF and PUMA conclude Agreement resulting in PUMA becoming CAF technical partner|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/caf-and-puma-conclude-agreement-resulting-in-puma-becoming-caf-technical-partner/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=12 May 2024}}</ref>
|}

== Prizes ==
=== Trophy and medals ===
[[File:Trophée de la Ligue des champions de la CAF.jpg|thumb|Official trophy]]
Each year, the winning team is presented with the CAF Champions League, the current version of which has been awarded since the competition name change in 1997. Forty gold medals are presented to the competition winners and 40 silver medals to the runners-up. On May 22, 2025, CAF unveiled a striking new design for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League trophy at TotalEnergies' Johannesburg headquarters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=CAF launches a ‘new look’ TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Trophy together with TotalEnergies ahead of the first Leg Final this weekend |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/caf-launches-a-new-look-totalenergies-caf-champions-league-trophy-together-with-totalenergies-ahead-of-the-first-leg-final-this-weekend/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=CAF launches a ‘new look’ TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Trophy together with TotalEnergies ahead of the first Leg Final this weekend |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-22 |title=WATCH: Caf unveil new Champions League trophy as captain Themba Zwane and Mamelodi Sundowns bid to become the first to lay their hands on the latest piece {{!}} Goal.com South Africa |url=https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/watch-caf-unveil-new-champions-league-trophy-as-captain-themba-zwane-and-mamelodi-sundowns-bid-to-become-the-first-to-lay-their-hands-on-the-latest-piece/blt7c3a3503a64981f9 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Crafted in sleek silver with bold gold accents, the trophy features a golden sphere adorned with African motifs at its peak—symbolizing the ultimate triumph—while the alternating silver and gold lines reflect unity, rivalry, and competitive balance that define Africa’s premier club competition.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=TRT Global - CAF unveils new Champions League trophy ahead of final match |url=https://trt.global/afrika-english/article/cff80f3c1739 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=trt.global |language=en-af}}</ref> The update is part of CAF’s broader effort to modernize its competitions and enhance their appeal.

===1997–2008===
Following the competition rebranding to its current name in 1997, CAF introduced prize money for the eight participants in group stage for the first time in an African club football competition. This first tranche lasted until 2008.

{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
!Final<br/>position!!Prize money
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|Champions|| align=right|US$1,000,000
|-
|- style="background:silver;"
|Runners-up|| align=right|US$750,000
|-
|Semi-finalists || align=right|US$427,500
|-
|3rd in group stage || align=right|US$261,250
|-
|4th in group stage || align=right|US$190,000
|}

===2009–2016===
CAF increased prize money to be shared between the group stage clubs, which was 8 at the time, as follows:<ref>{{cite web|title=CAF Executive Committee decisions|url=http://www.cafonline.com/competition/can-u-17_2009/news/3403-caf-executive-committee-decisions.html|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227100946/http://www.cafonline.com/competition/can-u-17_2009/news/3403-caf-executive-committee-decisions.html|archive-date=27 December 2009|date=16 September 2009|access-date=12 February 2010}}</ref>

{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
!Final<br/>position!!Prize money
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|Champions|| align=right| US$1,500,000
|-
|- style="background:silver;"
|Runners-up|| align=right| US$1,000,000
|-
|Semi-finalists || align=right| US$700,000
|-
|3rd in group stage || align=right| US$500,000
|-
|4th in group stage || align=right| US$400,000
|}

===2017–2022===
This third tranche of the prize money from CAF showed an increase to be shared between the group stage clubs, which increased to 16 from 2017 to date, as follows:<ref>{{cite web|date=16 September 2009|title=CAF Executive Committee decisions|url=http://www.cafonline.com/competition/can-u-17_2009/news/3403-caf-executive-committee-decisions.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227100946/http://www.cafonline.com/competition/can-u-17_2009/news/3403-caf-executive-committee-decisions.html|archive-date=27 December 2009|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=12 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=9 November 2016|title=Prize money for CAF competitions effective 2017|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/prize-money-for-caf-competitions-effective-2017/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=9 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 September 2016|title=PDF file containing info of the prize money packages for AFCON 2017 and the CAF club competitions|url=http://www.cafonline.com/Portals/0/AAG%20MEN/Prize%20money%20Eng.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220031822/http://www.cafonline.com/Portals/0/AAG%20MEN/Prize%20money%20Eng.pdf|archive-date=20 December 2016|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=9 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=13 July 2021|title=2020-21 TotalEnergies CAF CL Final – What you should know|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/2021/news/2020-21-totalenergies-caf-cl-final-what-you-should-know|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714132252/https://www.cafonline.com/total-caf-champions-league/2021/news/2020-21-totalenergies-caf-cl-final-what-you-should-know|archive-date=14 July 2021|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=29 July 2021|quote=Besides the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Trophy, the winners will get the prize money of 2.5 million US $, while the runners up collect 1.25 million US $.}}</ref>

{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
!Final<br>position!!Prize money
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|Champions|| align=right| US$2,500,000
|-
|- style="background:silver;"
|Runners-up|| align=right| US$1,250,000
|-
|Semi-finalists || align=right| US$875,000
|-
|Quarter-finalists || align=right| US$650,000
|-
|3rd in group stage || align=right| US$550,000
|-
|4th in group stage || align=right| US$550,000
|}
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> Note: National Associations receive an additional equivalent share of 5% for each amount awarded to clubs.</small>

===2023–present===
On 16 Aug 2024, CAF announced an increase in the prize money to be shared between the 16 group stage clubs including preliminary stages teams, which is the latest tranche, as follows:<ref>{{cite web|date=16 Aug 2024|title=CAF's USD 50,000 Financial Commitment to each Club in the Preliminary Stages a shot in the arm for African Club Football |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/caf-s-usd-50-000-financial-commitment-to-each-club-in-the-preliminary-stages-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-african-club-football/|website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 Aug 2024}}</ref>

{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
!Final<br>position!!Prize money
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|Champions|| align=right| US$4,000,000
|-
|- style="background:silver;"
|Runners-up|| align=right| US$2,000,000
|-
|Semi-finalists || align=right| US$1,200,000
|-
|Quarter-finalists || align=right| US$900,000
|-
|3rd in group stage || align=right| US$700,000
|-
|4th in group stage || align=right| US$700,000
|-
|Preliminary Stages || align=right|US$50,000
|}

==Broadcast coverage==
Below are the current broadcast rights holders of this competition:<ref>{{cite press release|date=21 December 2021|url=https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-appoints-broadcast-services-partners-for-2022-2023|title=CAF appoints Broadcast Services partners for 2022-2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221114438/https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-appoints-broadcast-services-partners-for-2022-2023|archive-date=21 December 2021|publisher=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Country/Region
!Channels
|-
|{{flag|Algeria}}
|[[Public Establishment of Television|EPTV]] (Only Algeria)
|-
|{{flag|ASEAN}}
|[[beIN Sports]]
|-
|{{flag|Benin}}
|[[ORTB]]
|-
|{{flag|Burkina Faso}}
|[[Radio Télévision du Burkina|RTB]]
|-
|{{flag|Europe}}
|[[Sportfive]]
|-
|{{flag|France}}
|[[beIN Sports (France)|beIN Sports]]
|-
|{{flag|Ghana}}
|{{ubl|[[GTV (Ghana)|GTV Sports+]]|[[StarTimes]]<ref>{{cite web|date=8 February 2022|title=StarTimes acquires broadcast rights of CAF Inter-Club competitions|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/startimes-acquires-broadcast-rights-of-caf-inter-club-competitions.html|website=Graphic Online|access-date=8 May 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214221920/https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/startimes-acquires-broadcast-rights-of-caf-inter-club-competitions.html|archive-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>}}
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|[[SNRT|Arryadia]]
|-
|{{flag|Portugal}}
|[[Sport TV]]
|-
|[[Latin America]]
|[[ESPN Latin America|ESPN]]
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}
|{{ubl|[[SuperSport (South African broadcaster)|SuperSport]]}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Arab League}} [[MENA]]
|[[beIN Sports (MENA)|beIN Sports]]
|-
|{{flag|South Africa}}
|{{ubl|[[SuperSport (South African broadcaster)|SuperSport]]|[[SABC Sport]]}}<ref>{{cite news|date=19 July 2021|url=https://www.sportcal.com/media/supersport-and-sabc-share-coverage-of-caf-champions-league-final-in-late-deal/|title=Supersport and SABC share coverage of Caf Champions League final in late deal|work=Sportcal|publisher=[[GlobalData]]|access-date=19 January 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Balkans|Western Balkans]]
|[[Sport Klub]]
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|[[beIN Sports (USA)|beIN Sports]]
|-
|[[Sub-Saharan Africa]]
|{{ubl|[[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]]|[[SuperSport (South African broadcaster)|SuperSport]] (selected matches)|[[StarTimes]] (except South Africa)}}
|-
|[[East Africa]]
|{{ubl|[[ZBC TV (Zanzibar)|TVZ]]|[[Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation|ZBC]]}}
|}Tanzania AZAM TV,TBC

== Records and statistics ==
{{Main|African Cup of Champions Clubs and CAF Champions League records and statistics}}

=== List of finals ===
{{Main|List of African Cup of Champions Clubs and CAF Champions League finals}}

=== Performance by clubs ===
{{CAF Champions League Performance by clubs}}

=== Performance by nations ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+Performances in finals by nation
|-
!scope="col"|Nation
!scope="col"|Winners
!scope="col"|Runners-up
!scope="col"|Total
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|EGY}}
|align=center|'''19'''
|align=center|10
|align=center|29
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|MAR}}
|align=center| 7
|align=center| 4
|align=center|11
|-
! scope="row" |{{fba|TUN}}
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |8
| align="center" |14
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|DRC}}
|align=center|6
|align=center|6
|align=center|12
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|ALG}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|2
|align=center|7
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|CMR}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|1
|align=center|6
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|GHA}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|8
|align=center|11
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|GUI}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|2
|align=center|5
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|NGA}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|5
|align=center|7
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|RSA}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4
|align=center|6
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|CIV}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2
|align=center|4
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|CGO}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0
|align=center|1
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|MLI}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|2
|align=center|2
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|UGA}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|2
|align=center|2
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|SUD}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|2
|align=center|2
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|TOG}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|ZAM}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|-
!scope="row"|{{fba|ZIM}}
|align=center|0
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|}

=== Performances by region ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
!Federation (Region)
!Clubs
!Titles
|-
|[[UNAF]] ([[North Africa]])
|[[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]] (12), [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]] (5), [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis|Espérance de Tunis]] (4), [[Raja CA]] (3), [[Wydad AC]] (3), [[ES Sétif]] (2), [[JS Kabylie]] (2), [[Étoile Sportive du Sahel|Étoile du Sahel]] (1), [[Ismaily SC|Ismaily]] (1), [[MC Alger]] (1), [[AS FAR (football)|FAR Rabat]] (1),  [[Club Africain]] (1), [[Pyramids FC|Pyramids]] (1)
|align=center| 37
|-
|[[UNIFFAC]] ([[Central Africa]])
|[[TP Mazembe]] (5), [[Canon Yaoundé]] (3), [[CARA Brazzaville]] (1), [[Oryx Douala]] (1), [[Union Douala]] (1), [[AS Vita Club|Vita Club]] (1)
|align=center| 12
|-
|[[West African Football Union|WAFU]] ([[West Africa]])
|[[Hafia FC|Hafia]] (3), [[Asante Kotoko SC|Asante Kotoko]] (2), [[Enyimba International F.C.|Enyimba]] (2), [[ASEC Mimosas]] (1), [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC|Hearts of Oak]] (1), [[Stade d'Abidjan]] (1)
|align=center| 10
|-
|[[COSAFA]] ([[Southern Africa]])
|[[Orlando Pirates]] (1), [[Mamelodi Sundowns]] (1)
|align=center| 2
|-
|[[CECAFA]] ([[East Africa]])
|
|align=center| 0
|}

===Top goalscorers===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year!!Footballer!!Club!!Goals
|-
!scope=col colspan=4|African Cup of Champions Clubs era
|-
|align=center|[[1964–65 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1965]]|| rowspan=2|{{flagicon|MLI}} [[Salif Keïta (Malian footballer)|Salif Keïta]]|| rowspan=2|{{flagicon|MLI}} [[Stade Malien]]||align=center|3
|-
|align=center|[[1966 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1966]]||align=center|'''14'''
|-
|align=center|[[1967 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1967]]|| {{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Badawi Abdel Fattah]]|{{flagicon|EGY}} Ahmed El-Qazzaz|{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Osei Kofi]]|{{flagicon|COD}} [[Pierre Kalala Mukendi|Pierre Kalala]]|{{flagicon|COD}} Leonard Saidi|{{flagicon|COD}} [[Kamunda Tshinabu]]}} || {{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Olympic Club (Egypt)|Al Olympi]]|{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Olympi|{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Asante Kotoko SC|Asante Kotoko]]|{{flagicon|COD}} TP Englebert|{{flagicon|COD}} TP Englebert|{{flagicon|COD}} TP Englebert}}|| align="center" |2
|-
|align=center|[[1968 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1968]]||{{flagicon|COD}} [[Pierre Kalala Mukendi|Pierre Kalala]]||{{flagicon|COD|}} [[TP Mazembe|TP Englebert]]||align=center|7
|-
|align=center|[[1969 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1969]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Ali Abo Greisha]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Ismaily SC|Ismaily]]||align=center|7
|-
|align=center|[[1970 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1970]]||{{flagicon|COD|}} [[Pierre Kalala Mukendi|Pierre Kalala]]||{{flagicon|COD}} TP Englebert||align=center|4
|-
|align=center| [[1971 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1971]]||{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Cecil Jones Attuquayefio]]||{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Accra Great Olympics]]||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[1972 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1972]]||{{flagicon|ZAM}} [[Godfrey Chitalu]]||{{flagicon|ZAM}} [[Kabwe Warriors]]||align=center|13
|-
|align=center| [[1973 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1973]]||{{flagicon|GUI}} [[Chérif Souleymane]]||{{flagicon|GUI}} [[Hafia FC]]||align=center|5
|-
|align=center| [[1974 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1974]]||{{flagicon|CGO}} [[Paul Moukila]]||{{flagicon|CGO}} [[CARA Brazzaville]]||align=center|10
|-
|align=center| [[1975 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1975]]||{{flagicon|GUI}} [[Mamadou Aliou Kéïta|N’Jo Léa]]||{{flagicon|GUI}} Hafia FC||align=center|4
|-
|align=center| [[1976 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1976]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Abdesslem Bousri]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[MC Alger]]||align=center|5
|-
|align=center|[[1977 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1977]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Mahmoud El Khatib]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]||align=center|4
|-
|align=center|[[1978 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1978]]||{{ubl|{{flagicon|GUI}} [[Seydouba Bangoura]]|{{flagicon|COD}} [[Mayanga Maku]]}}||{{ubl|{{flagicon|GUI}} Hafia FC|{{flagicon|COD}} [[AS Vita Club]]}}||align=center|2
|-
|align=center|[[1979 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1979]]||{{flagicon|TAN}} Ally Thuwen
||{{flagicon|TAN}} [[Simba SC]]||align=center|3
|-
|align=center|[[1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1980]]||{{flagicon|CMR}} [[Jean Manga Onguéné]]||{{flagicon|CMR}} [[Canon Yaoundé]]||align=center|9
|-
|align=center| [[1981 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1981]]|| rowspan=3| {{flagicon|EGY|1972}} [[Mahmoud El Khatib]]|| rowspan=3|{{flagicon|EGY|1972}} Al Ahly || rowspan=3;align=center| 6
|-
|align=center| [[1982 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1982]]
|-
|align=center| [[1983 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1983]]
|-
|align=center| [[1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1984]]||{{flagicon|NGR}} [[Felix Owolabi]]||{{flagicon|NGR}} [[Shooting Stars SC|Shooting Stars]]||align=center|5
|-
|align=center| [[1985 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1985]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Mokhtar Chibani]]<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Saâd Dahane]]<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Abdellah Haidamou]]<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Abderrazak Khairi]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[GC Mascara|GCR Mascara]]<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} [[FAR Rabat]]<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} FAR Rabat<br>{{flagicon|MAR}} FAR Rabat||align=center|4
|-
|align=center| [[1986 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1986]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Gamal Abdel Hamid]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]]||align=center|7
|-
|align=center|[[1987 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1987]]||{{flagicon|EGY|1972}} [[Mahmoud El Khatib]]||{{flagicon|EGY|1972}} Al Ahly||align=center|5
|-
|align=center|[[1988 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1988]]||{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Abdeslam Laghrissi]]||{{flagicon|MAR}} FAR Rabat||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[1989 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1989]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Mourad Meziane]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[MC Oran]]||align=center|5
|-
|align=center| [[1990 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1990]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Nacer Bouiche]]||{{flagicon|ALG}} [[JS Kabylie]]|| align="center" |7
|-
|align=center| [[1991 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1991]]||{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Faouzi Rouissi]]<br>{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Adel Sellimi]]||{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Club Africain]]||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[1992 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1992]]||{{flagicon|ZAM|1964}} [[Kenneth Malitoli]]||{{flagicon|ZAM|1964}} [[Nkana F.C.|Nkana]]||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[1993 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1993]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Ayman Mansour]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} Zamalek||align=center|5
|-
|align=center| [[1994 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1994]]||{{flagicon|NGR}} [[Anthony Nwaigwe]]||{{flagicon|NGR}} [[Heartland FC|Iwuanyanwu Nationale]]||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[1995 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1995]]||{{ubl|{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Kofi Deblah]]||{{flagicon|CIV}} [[Sékou Bamba]]}}||{{ubl|{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Obuasi Goldfields]]|{{flagicon|CIV}} [[ASEC Mimosas]]}}||align=center|4
|-
|align=center| [[1996 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1996]]||{{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Ahmed El-Kass]]|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Ayman Mansour]]|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Tarek Mostafa]]|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Mohamed Sabry]]|{{flagicon|RWA}} Julien Ndagano|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Skander Souayah]]}}||{{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} Zamalek|{{flagicon|EGY}} Zamalek|{{flagicon|EGY}} Zamalek|{{flagicon|EGY}} Zamalek|{{flagicon|RWA}} [[APR FC]]|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[CS Sfaxien]]}}||align=center|2
|-
!scope=col colspan=4|Champions League era
|-
|align=center| [[1997 CAF Champions League|1997]] ||{{flagicon|TOG}} [[Kossi Noutsoudje]]||{{flagicon|GHA}} Obuasi Goldfields||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[1998 CAF Champions League|1998]] ||{{ubl|{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Aseged Tesfaye]]|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Reda Ereyahi]]}}||{{ubl|{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Ethiopian Coffee S.C.|Ethiopian Coffee]]|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Raja CA]]}}||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[1999 CAF Champions League|1999]] ||{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Hossam Hassan]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[2000 CAF Champions League|2000]] ||{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Emmanuel Osei Kuffour]]||{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC|Accra Hearts of Oak]]||align=center|10
|-
|align=center| [[2001 CAF Champions League|2001]] ||{{flagicon|COD|1997}} [[Kapela Mbiyavanga]]||{{flagicon|ANG}} [[Petro Atlético]]||align=center|9
|-
|align=center| [[2002 CAF Champions League|2002]] ||{{ubl|{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Ahmed Belal]]|{{flagicon|CIV}} [[Antonin Koutouan]]|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Hicham Aboucherouane]]}} ||{{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly|{{flagicon|CIV}} [[ASEC Mimosas]]|{{flagicon|MAR}} Raja CA}}||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2003 CAF Champions League|2003]] ||{{flagicon|MLI}} [[Dramane Traoré]]||{{flagicon|EGY}} Ismaily||align=center|8
|-
|align=center| [[2004 CAF Champions League|2004]] || {{flagicon|Mali}} [[Mamadou Diallo (footballer, born 1982)|Mamadou Diallo]] || {{flagicon|Algeria}} [[USM Alger]] ||align=center| 10
|-
|align=center| [[2005 CAF Champions League|2005]] || {{ubl|{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Mohamed Barakat]]|{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Joetex Frimpong]]}}||{{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly|{{flagicon|NGA}} [[Enyimba FC|Enyimba]]}}  ||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2006 CAF Champions League|2006]] || {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Mohamed Aboutrika]] ||{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly ||align=center| 8
|-
|align=center| [[2007 CAF Champions League|2007]] || {{flagicon|Congo DR}} [[Trésor Mputu]] || {{flagicon|Congo DR}} [[TP Mazembe]] ||align=center| 9
|-
|align=center| [[2008 CAF Champions League|2008]] || {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Stephen Worgu]] || {{flagicon|NGA}} Enyimba  ||align=center|13
|-
|align=center| [[2009 CAF Champions League|2009]] || {{flagicon|COD}} [[Dioko Kaluyituka]] || {{flagicon|COD}} TP Mazembe ||align=center|8
|-
|align=center| [[2010 CAF Champions League|2010]] || {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Michael Eneramo]] || {{flagicon|TUN}} [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis|Espérance de Tunis]] ||align=center|8
|-
|align=center| [[2011 CAF Champions League|2011]] ||{{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Edward Sadomba]] || {{flagicon|SUD}} [[Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman)|Al-Hilal]]||align=center|'''14'''
|-
|align=center| [[2012 CAF Champions League|2012]] || {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Emmanuel Clottey]] ||{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Berekum Chelsea F.C.|Berekum Chelsea]] ||align=center|12
|-
|align=center| [[2013 CAF Champions League|2013]] || {{flagicon|CMR}} [[Alexis Yougouda Kada]] ||{{flagicon|CMR}} [[Coton Sport FC de Garoua|Coton Sport]] ||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2014 CAF Champions League|2014]] ||{{ubl|{{flagicon|ALG}} [[El Hedi Belameiri]]|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Haythem Jouini]]|{{flagicon|COD}} [[Ndombe Mubele]]| {{flagicon|TAN}} [[Mrisho Ngasa]]}} ||{{ubl|{{flagicon|ALG}} [[ES Sétif]]|{{flagicon|TUN}} Espérance de Tunis|{{flagicon|COD}} AS Vita Club|{{flagicon|TAN}} [[Young Africans S.C.|Young Africans]]}} ||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[2015 CAF Champions League|2015]] || {{ubl|{{flagicon|SDN}} [[Bakri Al-Madina]]|{{flagicon|TAN}} [[Mbwana Samatta]]}}|| {{ubl|{{flagicon|SDN}} [[Al-Merrikh SC|Al-Merrikh]]|{{flagicon|COD}} TP Mazembe}} ||align=center| 7
|-
|align=center| [[2016 CAF Champions League|2016]] || {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Mfon Udoh]] || {{flagicon|NGA}} Enyimba||align=center|9
|-
|align=center| [[2017 CAF Champions League|2017]] || {{ubl|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Taha Yassine Khenissi]]|{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Saladin Said]]}} || {{ubl|{{flagicon|TUN}} Espérance de Tunis|{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Saint George S.C.|Saint George]]}} ||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2018 CAF Champions League|2018]] || {{flagicon|TUN}} [[Anice Badri]] || {{flagicon|TUN}} Espérance de Tunis ||align=center|8
|-
|align=center| [[2018–19 CAF Champions League|2018–19]] || {{flagicon|LBY}} [[Moataz Al-Mehdi]] || {{flagicon|LBY}} [[Al-Nasr SC (Benghazi)|Al-Nasr]] ||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2019–20 CAF Champions League|2019–20]] || {{flagicon|COD}} [[Jackson Muleka]] || {{flagicon|COD}} TP Mazembe ||align=center|7
|-
|align=center| [[2020–21 CAF Champions League|2020–21]] || {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Mohamed Sherif (footballer, born 1996)|Mohamed Sherif]] || {{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly ||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[2021–22 CAF Champions League|2021–22]] || {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Tiago Azulão]] || {{flagicon|ANG}} Petro Atlético ||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[2022–23 CAF Champions League|2022–23]] || {{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Mahmoud Kahraba]]|{{flagicon|NAM}} [[Peter Shalulile]]}} || {{ubl|{{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ahly|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Mamelodi Sundowns]]}} ||align=center|6
|-
|align=center| [[2023–24 CAF Champions League|2023–24]] || {{flagicon|CIV}} Sankara William Karamoko || {{flagicon|CIV}} ASEC Mimosas ||align=center|4
|-
|align=center| [[2024–25 CAF Champions League|2024–25]] || {{flagicon|DRC}} [[Fiston Mayele]] || {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Pyramids FC|Pyramids]] ||align=center|6
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Football in Africa|Association football}}
*[[African Football League]]
*[[CAF Women's Champions League]]
*[[CAF Confederation Cup]]
*[[CAF Super Cup]]
*[[African Cup Winners' Cup]]
*[[CAF Cup]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|CAF Champions League}}
* {{Official website|https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/af1.html List of Past and Present Winners] at [[RSSSF]]

{{CAF Champions League seasons}}
{{CAF Champions League winners}}
{{CAF competitions}}
{{African sport club competitions}}
{{International club football}}
{{FIFA Club World Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Caf Champions League}}
[[Category:CAF Champions League]]
[[Category:Confederation of African Football club competitions]]
[[Category:Multi-national professional sports leagues]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1964]]