The 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) is the 45th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the third under the AFC Champions League Elite title.
Saudi Arabia has provisionally been awarded the hosting rights for the finals until 2029. The tournament winner will qualify for the 2027–28 AFC Champions League Elite league stage, the 2027 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
This will be the first season of the ACL Elite to feature 32 teams in the league stage of the competition, with the AFC confirming on 24 April 2026 that the league stage of the tournament would be expanded from 24 teams to 32. This will be the first season since the 2019 AFC Champions League, in which 32 teams will compete in the competition proper.
Al-Ahli are two-time defending champions, having retained the title in 2026.
Association team allocation The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking which was published after the 2024–25 competitions were completed.
Participation for 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite Participating Not participating
+West Region (16 teams)RankMember associationPointsSlotsLeaguestagePreliminarystage 1 1119.95741 2 474.46631 3 569.32630 4 668.90720 5 949.82111 61239.28010 71336.90501TotalParticipating associations: 714418
+East Region (16 teams)RankMember associationPointsSlotsLeaguestagePreliminarystage 1 2107.66341 2 390.98231 3 754.87330 4 854.68220 51040.42011 61140.03910 71435.03801TotalParticipating associations: 714418
Teams
Entry roundWest RegionEast RegionLeague stageTeamQualifying method TeamQualifying method Al-Ahli2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite winners2025–26 Saudi Pro League third place16th Kashima Antlers2025 J1 League champions11th Al-Nassr2025–26 Saudi Pro League champions9th Vissel KobeJ1 100 Year Vision League champions5th Al-Hilal2025–26 Saudi Pro League runners-up22nd Kashiwa Reysol2025 J1 League runners-up5th Al-Qadsiah2025–26 Saudi Pro League fourth place1st Kyoto Sanga2025 J1 League third place1st Al Ain2025–26 UAE Pro League champions2025–26 UAE President's Cup winners19th 2025 K League 1 champions17th Shabab Al Ahli2025–26 UAE Pro League runners-up14th Daejeon Hana Citizen2025 K League 1 runners-up2nd Al Wasl2025–26 UAE Pro League third place5th Pohang Steelers2025 K League 1 fourth place11th Al Sadd2025–26 Qatar Stars League champions21st Buriram United2025–26 Thai League 1 champions14th Al-Gharafa2026 Amir of Qatar Cup winners15th Port2025–26 Thai League 1 runners-up5th Al-Shamal2025–26 Qatar Stars League runners-up1st Ratchaburi2025–26 Thai League 1 third place2nd Esteghlal2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League first place13th Shanghai Port2025 Chinese Super League champions10th Tractor2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League second place8th Beijing Guoan2025 Chinese FA Cup winners11th Neftchi2025 Uzbekistan Super League champions6th Newcastle Jets 2025–26 A-League Men regular season premiers3rd 2025–26 Iraq Stars League champions8th Johor Darul Ta'zim2025–26 Malaysia Super League champions12th Preliminary stage Al-Ittihad2025–26 Saudi Pro League fifth place14th Gamba Osaka2025–26 AFC Champions League Two winners11th Al Jazira2025–26 UAE Pro League fourth place12th Gangwon FC2025 K League 1 fifth place2nd Pakhtakor2025 Uzbekistan Cup winners21st Adelaide United2025–26 A-League Men regular season runners-up7th Al-Hussein2025–26 Jordanian Pro League champions1st Công An Hà Nội2025–26 V.League 1 champions1st
Notes
Schedule The schedule of the competition is expected to be as follows. +Schedule for 2026–27 AFC Champions League EliteStageRoundDraw dateWest regionEast regionPreliminary stage No draw11 August 2026League stageMatchday 1 18 August 202614–15 September 202615–16 September 2026Matchday 212–13 October 202613–14 October 2026Matchday 326–27 October 202627–28 October 2026Matchday 42–3 November 20263–4 November 2026Matchday 523–24 November 202624–25 November 2026Matchday 67–8 December 20261–2 December 2026Matchday 78–9 February 20279–10 February 2027Matchday 815–16 February 202716–17 February 2027Round of 1625 February 20271–16 March 20279–17 March 2027FinalsQuarter-finals 13 March 202723–30 April 2027Semi-finalsFinal1 May 2027
Preliminary round The four winners of the play-off round (two from West Region and two from East Region) advanced to the league stage to join the 28 direct entrants. The losers of the preliminary round entered the group stage of the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two.
West Region
East Region
League stage
West Region
East Region
See also 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two 2026–27 AFC Challenge League 2026–27 AFC Women's Champions League References
External links