The revamped AFC Champions League Elite kicks off under a new format next week and features 24 teams across the two geographical regions battling it out for continental glory.
Like the UEFA Champions League in Europe, the ACL Elite has ditched the traditional group stage for a league phase format before the knockout rounds this season.
Read on as we preview the schedule and format for the tournament, before assessing some of the bookmakers’ favorites to lift the prestigious trophy.
AFC Champions League 2024/25 Schedule
- Matchday 1 – September 16-18
- Matchday 2 – September 30-October 2
- Matchday 3 – October 21-23
- Matchday 4 – November 4-6
- Matchday 5 – November 25-27
- Matchday 6 – December 2-4
- Matchday 7 – February 3-12
- Matchday 8 – February 17-19
- Round of 16 – March 3-12
- Quarter-final – April 25-26
- Semi-final – April 29-30
- Final – May 4
AFC Champions League 2024/25 Format
The new AFC Champions League format differs from the previous framework, with the 24 participating teams divided into two regional leagues of 12 clubs.
- West Region: Pakhtakor, Al-Sadd, Persepolis, Al-Hilal, Al-Shorta, Al-Ain, Al-Nassr, Al-Rayyan, Esteghlal, Al-Ahli, Al-Gharafa, Al Wasl.
- East Region: Ulsan HD, Shanghai Port, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Central Coast Mariners, Buriram United, Vissel Kobe, Pohang Steelers, Shandong Taishan, Yokohama F Marinos, Gwangju, Shanghai Shenhua, Kawasaki Frontale.
Each team will face eight different opponents from their region, playing four matches at home and the other four away. The top eight teams from each league advance to the last-16.
There is another massive change to the long-established traditional format at this juncture. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals are to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The AFC said the eventual winners will be awarded ‘the biggest-ever purse prize’ of $12 million – a significant increase from the $4m awarded to the 2023/24 winners.
The new deal adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing portfolio of hosting rights in sports and marks a seismic shift for a tournament which is the jewel in the AFC’s crown.
AFC Champions League 2024/25 Preview
Reigning champions Al-Ain are one of the bookies’ favourites to clinch the AFC Champions League Elite title for the second successive season.
Led by former Argentine international striker Hernan Crespo, the United Arab Emirates giants will be looking to defend their continental crown.
They defeated Japanese giants Yokohama F Marinos to defy the betting odds and claim their second continental title last term.
Arab punters may be willing to back them on the sportsbooks featured on comparison platform https://www.arabswin.com/, but the competition will be fierce.
They kick-off their campaign with a potentially tricky fixture against Qatari giants Al-Sadd, who are competing in the tournament for the 17th time.
Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, now coached by former AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli, will also be eager to make their mark this season.
They will rely heavily on veteran forward Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is desperate to add another trophy to his glittering career CV.
Saudi rivals Al-Hilal are also expected to progress to the latter stages after dominating their domestic league last season. The four-time Champions League winners lead the way in the SPL this term.
Al-Hilal are making a joint-record 19th appearance in the AFC Champions League and would love to crown their season with a fifth continental trophy.
Yokohama F Marinos will be keen to rectify their errors from the 2023/24 final. They have yet to lift their first continental piece of silverware and will be itching to cross that milestone.
South Korea’s Ulsan HD are bidding to make their mark on the continent again. They won the title in 2012 and 2020 and are undoubtedly a team to watch.
