AFC Women's Champions League
With a record field, big names and an exciting cast of newcomers ready for action, the-AFC.com tells you - the fans - all you need to know ahead of the latest edition of Asia’s premier women’s club competition.
Third edition
The AFC Women’s Champions League™ enters its third season, having made its groundbreaking debut in 2024/25.
Record cast
A record 24 clubs from 24 Member Associations will compete in the Preliminary Stage – five more than in 2025/26.
Six tickets up for grabs
There will be little margin for error with only six places in the Group Stage available to the Preliminary Stage hopefuls.
Road to qualification
The 24 contenders have been divided into six groups of four, with the Preliminary Stage to be played in a centralised league format from August 17 to 23. Only the six group winners will advance.
Advance booking
Defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC (PRK) are among six clubs who have qualified directly for the Group Stage, alongside Melbourne City FC (AUS), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (KOR), INAC Kobe Leonessa (JPN), Beijing Jingtan Football Club (CHN) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE).
Naegohyang’s mission
Naegohyang will be aiming to become the competition’s first back-to-back winners after the DPR Korea side defeated Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the 2025/26 final, with Kim Kyong Yong scoring the decisive goal.
Group Stage challenge
The six Preliminary Stage winners will join the six direct entrants to form a 12-team Group Stage, with the clubs divided into three groups of four. The top two from each group and the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarter-finals.
Road to glory
The quarter-finals will be played as single-leg knockout ties, with the eight remaining sides battling for four berths in the centralised Finals, where the semi-finals and final will determine the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ winners.
The quarter-finals will be played as single-leg knockout ties, with the eight remaining sides battling for four berths in the centralised Finals, where the semi-finals and final will determine the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ winners.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
#ACLElite - League Stage Draw: All you need to know
- AFC Champions League Two
#ACLTwo - Group Stage Draw: Facts & Figures
- AFC Challenge League
#ChallengeLeague group battles to be revealed
- Transfers
Irankunda seals Sporting move
- Transfers
Jonan takes European step; Messi joins Al Ettifaq
Item 1 of 5