Football: Official dates of the 2025 competition calendar in Africa

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a dynamic one for African football, with a packed schedule of tournaments and events. The action kicks off on January 27 in Rabat, Morocco, with the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), where the 24 qualified teams will learn their group-stage opponents.

In February, the spotlight shifts to East Africa for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from February 1 to February 28. This marks a significant milestone in regional collaboration for the tournament.

March brings another highlight, as Morocco hosts the U17 CAN. The competition begins with the opening match on Sunday, March 30, and concludes with the final on Saturday, April 19.
April sees Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning African champions, take center stage by hosting the U20 CAN. The tournament runs from Saturday, April 26, to Sunday, May 18, showcasing the continent’s next generation of talent.

May will be a particularly busy month for club competitions. The Confederation Cup final kicks off with the first leg on Saturday, May 17, and wraps up with the second leg on Sunday, May 25. The Champions League final follows, with the first leg scheduled for May 24 and the decisive second leg on June 1.

Later in the year, attention turns to women’s football with the Women’s Champions League. The tournament opens on Saturday, November 8, and concludes with the final on Sunday, November 23.

The year culminates with the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco. This marks the tournament’s return to Moroccan soil for the first time since 1988, when Cameroon triumphed over Nigeria in a final featuring just eight teams. The 2025 CAN begins on December 21 and concludes with the final on January 18, 2026, offering a thrilling close to a landmark year for African football.