In July, the AFC Champions League Elite competition will kick off, featuring the top teams from Asia in its maiden campaign. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the initial cast for the 2024/25 season, with 27 teams from 12 Member Associations participating. Five clubs will compete in the Preliminary Stage for the remaining slots in the League Stage, with matches scheduled from August 6 to 13. The winners will join the clubs that have qualified directly for the League Stage, with the top eight teams from each league advancing to the Round of 16.
The official draw ceremony for the League Stage will be held on August 16, with further details on the Draw Mechanics to be announced. The Round of 16 will consist of double-legged matches scheduled from March 3 to 12, 2025. The Finals will be a unique centralized event, with all matches from the quarter-finals onwards being contested at a single host Member Association. Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
Participating clubs in the League Stage will receive significant increases in financial distribution, with a minimum guarantee of $800,000. The champions will receive at least $12 million, with additional prizes available based on final placings. The pathway towards the inaugural AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) season has also been unveiled, with 32 teams competing in the brand-new second-tier men’s club competition.
The AFC Club Competitions 2024/25 slot allocations and club licensing requirements will see 27 teams from 21 Member Associations qualify directly to the Group Stage. The remaining teams that will be eliminated from the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League Elite will also compete in the ACL Two. The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups to compete in a round-robin, home-and-away format from September 17 to December 5.
Representatives from various Member Associations will participate in both the AFC Champions League Elite and ACL Two competitions. Clubs from West Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Iraq, as well as teams from East Asia such as Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Australia, and Malaysia, will compete in the prestigious tournaments. Al Wakrah will represent Qatar in the inaugural edition of the ACL Two, where the champions will receive at least $3.28 million in prize money.
Overall, the AFC Champions League Elite and ACL Two competitions offer a platform for top clubs in Asia to showcase their talent and compete for prestigious titles and significant prize money. With a focus on enhancing the quality of football and providing opportunities for clubs across Member Associations, these competitions are set to attract a wide audience and elevate the standards of football in the region. Fans can look forward to exciting matches and fierce competition as the best teams in Asia battle it out for glory.
