The 2027–28 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) will be the 46th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the fourth 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 2028–29 AFC Champions League Elite league stage, the 2028 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Association team allocation The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking which was published after the 2025–26 competitions were completed.
Participation for 2027–28 AFC Champions League Elite Participating Not participating
+West Region (16 teams)RankMember associationPointsSlotsLeaguestagePreliminarystage 1 1132.54532 2 479.47031 3 571.44930 4 669.34720 51047.25111 61243.33010 71342.16301TotalParticipating associations: 714418
+East Region (16 teams)RankMember associationPointsSlotsLeaguestagePreliminarystage 1 2120.41032 2 387.33431 3 762.84630 4 849.48320 5 949.17811 61145.18410 71438.89401TotalParticipating associations: 714418
Teams
+Entry roundWest RegionEast RegionLeague stageTeamQualifying method TeamQualifying method 2026–27 Saudi Pro League champions 2026–27 J1 League champions 2026–27 Saudi Pro League runners-up 2026–27 J1 League runners-up 2026–27 Saudi Pro League third place 2026–27 J1 League third place 2026–27 UAE Pro League champions 2026 K League 1 champions 2026–27 UAE President's Cup winners 2026 K League 1 runners-up 2026–27 UAE Pro League runners-up 2026 K League 1 third place 2026–27 Persian Gulf Pro League champions 2026–27 Thai League 1 champions 2026–27 Persian Gulf Pro League runners-up 2026–27 Thai League 1 runners-up 2026–27 Persian Gulf Pro League third place 2026–27 Thai League 1 third place 2026–27 Qatar Stars League champions 2026 Chinese Super League champions 2026 Amir of Qatar Cup winners 2026 Chinese FA Cup winners 2026 Uzbekistan Super League champions 2026–27 A-League Men regular season premiers 2026–27 Jordanian Pro League champions 2026–27 Malaysia Super League championsPreliminary stage 2026–27 Saudi Pro League fourth place 2026–27 J1 League fourth place 2026–27 Saudi Pro League fifth place 2026–27 J1 League fifth place 2026–27 UAE Pro League third place 2026 K League 1 fourth place 2026 Uzbekistan Cup winners 2026–27 A-League Men regular season runners-up 2026–27 Iraq Stars League champions 2026–27 Singapore Premier League champions
The following teams will also qualify to the West or East region unless they have already qualified via their domestic performance.
+West or East RegionEntry roundTeamQualifying method League stage2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite championsQualifying play-off 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two champions
References
External links