By Abdulrahman Samer | Pressbee Sports
The AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 has officially kicked off with a brand-new format designed to increase competition and excitement across Asia. A total of 24 teams are split evenly between the West Zone and East Zone, promising thrilling encounters between some of the continent’s top clubs.
Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi enter the tournament looking to retain their crown amid fierce competition, making this edition one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory.
New tournament format
The revamped structure divides clubs into two main zones:
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West Zone: 12 teams
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East Zone: 12 teams
Each zone plays a round-robin group stage, with the top eight from each side advancing to the knockout rounds. This system gives more teams the opportunity to compete deep into the tournament and sets up potential heavyweight clashes between Asia’s biggest clubs.
Saudi participation
Three Saudi clubs will represent the Kingdom in this year’s competition:
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Al Ahli – defending champions
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Al Ittihad – Saudi Pro League winners
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Al Hilal – league runners-up
Notably, Al Nassr miss out after finishing fourth domestically last season, raising the stakes for clubs to secure top league positions in future campaigns.
Key tournament dates
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Preliminary Round: August 12, 2025
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Group Stage: September 15, 2025 – February 18, 2026
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Round of 16: March 2, 2026
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Quarterfinals: April 24–26, 2026
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Semifinals: April 28–29, 2026
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Final: May 2, 2026
The calendar has been structured to allow teams adequate recovery and preparation between stages, ensuring top-quality matches throughout.
The draw and notable participants
The official draw will take place on August 15, 2025 at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
West Zone clubs include:
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Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
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Al Sadd, Al Duhail, Al Gharafa (Qatar)
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Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah, Al Wahda (UAE)
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Tractor (Iran)
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Nasaf (Uzbekistan)
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Al Shorta (Iraq)
East Zone clubs include:
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Vissel Kobe, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Machida Zelvia (Japan)
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Ulsan Hyundai, Gangwon, FC Seoul (South Korea)
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Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, Rongcheng (China)
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Buriram United (Thailand)
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Melbourne City (Australia)
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Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia)
What to expect
With heavyweights like Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Ulsan Hyundai, and Vissel Kobe in the mix, fans can expect world-class clashes, new rivalries, and plenty of surprises. The new format is set to enhance competitiveness and deliver memorable moments across Asia.
The 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite is shaping up to be one of the most exciting continental club competitions in recent history.      
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