AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is Asia’s premier annual club football competition, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The AFC Champions League is Asia’s premier annual club football competition, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It began in 1967 under earlier names and was restructured in 2024 into the AFC Champions League Elite as the top tier of Asian club competition.
History
The competition began in 1967 as the Asian Club Championship. It was renamed the AFC Champions League in 2002 and later restructured in 2024 into a tiered system headed by the AFC Champions League Elite.
Format
In its current top-tier form, the AFC Champions League Elite includes a league stage with 32 clubs divided equally between East and West regions. The competition format was reduced from the earlier 40-team tournament proper.
Qualification and prestige
Teams qualify through their domestic league and cup performance, with allocations varying by AFC member association and licensing criteria. The competition is regarded as the most prestigious club tournament in Asian football.
International qualification
The champion earns places in FIFA club competitions, including the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The winner also qualifies for the next edition of the AFC Champions League Elite if not already qualified domestically.
Canadian angle
Canadian readers may encounter the competition through FIFA club tournaments and through coverage of Asian football in international sports media. It is not directly tied to Canadian domestic soccer, but it is relevant to Canadians following global club competitions.
Key facts
- The AFC Champions League began in 1967 as the Asian Club Championship.
- It was renamed in 2002 and restructured in 2024 into the AFC Champions League Elite as the top tier.
- The Elite league stage features 32 clubs split into East and West regions.
- The winner qualifies for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
- It is the most prestigious club football competition in Asia.
Canadian readers may encounter the competition through FIFA club tournaments and through coverage of Asian football in international sports media. It is not directly tied to Canadian domestic soccer, but it is relevant to Canadians following global club competitions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AFC Champions League?
When did it begin?
What is it called now?
How many teams are in the top-tier league stage?
What do the winners qualify for?
Is it still the same competition as before?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Champions_League_EliteSupports: Current top-tier name, format, league-stage size, regional split, and qualification for FIFA club competitions.
- Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Champions_LeagueSupports: Historical naming, 1967 origin, and 2002 rebranding.
- YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSfPvZz3MUSupports: Historical overview, 1967 origins, and general competition format description.
- ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41270886/new-afc-champions-league-format-explainedSupports: 2024 restructuring, new tiered system, and reduction in teams in the top-tier competition.
- Weblio — https://www.weblio.jp/content/AFC%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%94%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B0Supports: General description of the AFC competition, historical start year, and qualification/awards summary.