Asian Champions League Elite to expand from 24 teams to 32 in 2026/27

The expansion will divide the tournament into East and West zones, each with 16 teams. The AFC believes this setup will heighten rivalry and widen participation in Asian club competitions.

The AFC has suggested updates to advancement rules after the league phase, designed to amplify the significance of the early stages.

As per the plan, the top six clubs from each zone will advance straight to the last 16.

Differing from past structures, squads in seventh to tenth positions will stay in the race, moving into a fresh playoff knockout round to vie for the unused spots in the round of 16.

Sides ending seventh and eighth will benefit from home field in these matches, while the successful outcomes will fill the final berths in the last 16.

Nevertheless, the playoff knockout will skip the 2026-27 season owing to a crowded worldwide football timetable. The AFC aims to launch it in future editions.

These alterations await endorsement from the AFC Executive Committee, yet they are generally forecasted to proceed as described.