The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially unveiled a revamped format for its flagship club competition, the AFC Champions League, ahead of the 2026 season. The announcement was made at a well‑attended press conference in Kuala Lumpur, signalling sweeping changes designed to increase competitiveness, global visibility, and opportunities for clubs across Asia.
New Structure to Expand Competition and Intensity
Under the new format, the AFC Champions League will feature an expanded group stage and an additional knockout round, allowing more clubs from emerging football nations to compete alongside traditional powerhouses from Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The changes aim to elevate the overall level of competition and give fans more high‑stakes matches throughout the campaign.
The updated structure will include:
- Six groups in the group stage (up from four)
- A round of 24 knockout phase before quarterfinals
- Increased allocation of slots for developing football nations
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said the relaunch reflects a strategic vision for Asian club football.
“This new format is about inclusion, competition, and raising standards across the continent. We want every fan — from Tokyo to Tehran — to see their clubs thrive at elite levels.”
Impact on Clubs and Continental Aspirations
Clubs from emerging markets — including Southeast Asia and Central Asia — will now have greater opportunities to test themselves against established teams from the Middle East and East Asia. Officials believe this will help accelerate development, attract stronger sponsorship, and grow the fan base across the region.
Local league champions welcome the changes. For example, Indonesia’s Persib Bandung and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent both expressed optimism that broader access will help their players gain valuable experience on the continental stage.
The AFC also plans to enhance broadcast coverage and digital engagement, aiming to bring more matches to global audiences via streaming platforms — a move that could increase revenue and exposure for all participating clubs.
As excitement builds toward the 2026 season, fans across Asia are already looking forward to the beginning of a new era in continental football — one that blends tradition with innovation and promises more drama, competition, and regional pride.
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