AFC Champions League Elite
The upcoming edition of Asia’s top-tier men’s club competition will feature an expanded cast of 32 sides for the first time since the revamp to its current name in 2024/25.
Reigning champions Al Ahli Saudi FC, aiming to become the first team to lift the trophy three times in a row, will face two-time winners Al Ain FC (UAE), 2011 champions Al Sadd SC (QAT), Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), PFC Neftchi (UZB), Al Gharafa SC (QAT), Al Wasl FC (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB) and Al Shamal SC (QAT).
Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC will be challenged by Al Ain, Al Sadd, Shabab Al Ahli, PFC Neftchi, Al Gharafa, Al Wasl, Pakhtakor and Al Shamal.
Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC will be challenged by Al Ain, Al Sadd, Shabab Al Ahli, PFC Neftchi, Al Gharafa, Al Wasl, Pakhtakor and Al Shamal.
AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 League Stage Draw | HIGHLIGHTS
Korea Republic champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's bid for a third continental title will begin against Shanghai Port FC (CHN), Kashima Antlers (JPN), Vissel Kobe (JPN), Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (MAS), Kashiwa Reysol (JPN), Beijing FC (CHN), debutants Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) and Gamba Osaka (JPN).
Besides Jeonbuk, former winners and Japanese champions Kashima Antlers will mark their return to the top tier of Asian club football for the first time since 2019 with ties against Daejeon Hanacitizen (KOR), Port FC (THA), FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Buriram United (THA), Newcastle Jets FC (AUS) and Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) as their other League Stage opponents.
Besides Jeonbuk, former winners and Japanese champions Kashima Antlers will mark their return to the top tier of Asian club football for the first time since 2019 with ties against Daejeon Hanacitizen (KOR), Port FC (THA), FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Buriram United (THA), Newcastle Jets FC (AUS) and Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) as their other League Stage opponents.
#ACLElite - League Stage Draw
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The action will kick off on September 14, with the League Stage scheduled to conclude in February 2027.
The top eight finishers of each League Stage advance to the Round of 16, to be played from March 1 to 17, 2027, before a centralised Finals - comprising all matches from the Quarter-finals onwards - is contested in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027.
The top eight finishers of each League Stage advance to the Round of 16, to be played from March 1 to 17, 2027, before a centralised Finals - comprising all matches from the Quarter-finals onwards - is contested in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027.
