Asian club football is on the verge of a major transformation. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee has recommended the expansion of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) from 24 to 32 participating clubs, marking one of the most significant structural overhauls in the tournament’s history.
The expansion would see the competition split with 16 teams each in the East and West regions, which the AFC said would boost competitiveness and inclusion across Asian club football.
In a statement, the AFC said the move is “intended to provide opportunities for elite clubs to compete against the continent’s best, while simultaneously incentivising higher standards of professionalism and performance within domestic leagues across Asia.”
New Format and Progression Rules
The restructuring also brings changes to how teams advance through the competition. Upon conclusion of the league stage, clubs ranked first through sixth in each region will earn direct qualification to the Round of 16, while clubs finishing seventh to 10th will not be eliminated but will instead progress to a newly established knockout stage playoff.
This playoff model draws comparisons to the UEFA Champions League’s format, introducing greater jeopardy and excitement deeper into the league phase.
However, due to the current congested global competition calendar, the Knockout Stage Playoff will not be implemented for the 2026/27 season and is slated for introduction in subsequent seasons.
Broader Impact
The larger 32-club field creates 33% more entry points into the competition, while also placing greater emphasis on domestic performance and licensing standards as pathways into the tournament tighten. A bigger tournament also means more matches and a broader club mix, strengthening the overall inventory on offer to broadcasters and commercial partners.
All changes remain subject to approval by the AFC Executive Committee, though they are widely expected to be implemented as outlined.
