Under the new system, clubs finishing in the top six positions in each region will qualify directly for the Round of 16. According to the new structure, the tournament will continue to be divided equally into two regions: East and West, with 16 teams in each region. The winners of these matches will complete the lineup for the Round of 16, ensuring that all positions remain important until the final matchday. Due to the current congestion in the international football calendar, this playoff stage will not be implemented in the 2026-2027 season but will be introduced in subsequent seasons. This latest expansion reinforces the Asian Football Confederation's commitment to providing a more inclusive and commercially viable continental platform, contributing to the scaling of representation for elite football in the continent. This ensures that the AFC Elite Champions League remains at the forefront of the global football landscape, offering a distinctive sporting experience for fans and all stakeholders. It is noted that all decisions require approval from the AFC Executive Committee before coming into effect. The aim of this expansion is to provide elite clubs with the opportunity to compete against the best teams on the continent, while also stimulating higher standards of professionalism and performance in local leagues across Asia. Qualification criteria for the Round of 16 - Seasons following 2026-2027 The qualification criteria for the Round of 16 will also be adjusted, to be applied from the 2026-2027 season onwards, to increase the importance of the group stage. In a notable change from previous systems, clubs finishing in 7th to 10th place will not be eliminated, but will advance to a new playoff stage within the knockout rounds. In this playoff stage, the higher-ranked team in each matchup—specifically those finishing 7th and 8th—will gain home advantage as a reward for their group stage performance. The AFC Competitions Committee has recommended a series of strategic enhancements to the continent's premier club competition, the AFC Elite Champions League 2024-2025, headlined by a transition to a 32-team system starting from the 2026-2027 season. These reforms reaffirm the AFC's commitment to continuing to enhance inclusivity and excellence across the continent, as well as introducing a stronger pathway to the knockout rounds. Expansion of the group stage from the 2026-2027 season This aspect is central to the development, as the number of participating clubs will increase from 24 to 32.
