The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) has announced the launch of the Gulf Club Champions League, set to take place from October 23, 2024, to April 15, 2025. The tournament will feature eight clubs including Al Arabi (Qatar), Al Nasr (UAE), Al Riffa (Bahrain), Al Qadisiyah (Kuwait), Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia), Al Ahly Sana’a (Yemen), Dhofar (Oman), and Dohuk (Iraq).
According to the Secretary General of the AGCFF, Jassim Al Rumaihi, the prize money for the Gulf Club Champions League has seen a significant increase, rivaling that of the Asian Football Confederation. The champion of the tournament will receive a cash prize of $3,000,000, while the second-place team will be awarded $1,000,000. Additionally, individual prizes have been allocated for the best player, best goalkeeper, and top scorer, each receiving $50,000.
In addition to the cash prizes, participating clubs will receive financial contributions and incentive prizes based on the tournament regulations. Each club will be allocated $300,000 for participating, with an additional $100,000 reward for qualifying for the semi-finals. There will also be financial support for traveling to play away matches, with each club receiving $30,000 for each away match and a win bonus of $30,000 for each victory.
The decision to hold the Gulf Clubs Championship was approved during a meeting of the Executive Office of the Arabian Gulf Cup Federation in May. The tournament is expected to showcase top clubs from across the Gulf region, providing an exciting platform for competition and showcasing the talent of players from participating teams.
The Gulf Club Champions League promises to be a highly competitive and prestigious event with substantial prize money and incentives for both clubs and individual players. The increased prize money and financial contributions aim to make the tournament more attractive and rewarding for participants, as well as raising its profile within the global football community.
Fans can look forward to an exciting tournament featuring top clubs from the Gulf region, as they battle it out for the title of champions and the lucrative cash prizes on offer. With the competition set to kick off in October 2024, football enthusiasts can expect high-quality matches and top-class performances from the participating teams.
