Asian Champions League
The AFC Champions League is Asia's premier international club competition.
The Asian Champions League in its present format began in the 2002-2003 season and tends to be dominated by the big clubs from South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Qualification
The initial group stage consists of 32 teams in eight groups from 10 Asian nations before a first knock out round of 16 teams played over one leg. The quarterfinals are played in a two leg home and away format. Groups A-D consist of west Asian and Middle Eastern teams with groups E-H made up of clubs from East Asia (mainly Japan, South Korea, China) and Australia.
The final is a two-leg match.
The winner of the AFC Champions League qualifies for the Club World Cup.
Latest Asian Champions League News
Urawa Reds Seal Historic Third Crown
Urawa Reds win their third ACL in 2023 beating Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium.
Urawa Reds Champions
Urawa Reds win the ACL after a hard-fought win over Al Hilal.
ACL Quarterfinals Review
ACL quarterfinals review as Shanghai SIPG, Urawa Reds, Al Hilal and Persepolis come through their ties.
ACL Quarterfinals Preview
ACL quarterfinals preview as Shanghai SIPG face Guangzhou Evergrande, Kawasaki Frontale take on Urawa Reds, Al Ain play Al Hilal and Persepolis are matched with Al Ahli.
Australian Clubs Lukewarm Over ACL Participation
How is it that after almost 12 years, A-League clubs still haven't figured out how to leverage their participation in the AFC Champions League?
Poor Start For Aussie Clubs
It's been a poor start to the AFC Champions League for Australian clubs.
2017 ACL Preview
One of the great things about the ACL is its unpredictability. We look at some of the contenders for this year's title.
Al Ain v Jeonbuk Hyundai
UAE's Al Ain play Jeonbuk Hyundai in the second leg of the 2016 ACL final at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium trailing 1-2 from the first leg in Korea.
Asian Champions League 2016 Final Preview
The 2016 ACL Final features UAE's Al Ain v K-League Classic side Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Asian Champions League 2016 Semi Finals
The 2016 Asian Champions League Semi Finals second legs see FC Seoul trying to overturn a 4-1 deficit to fellow K-League Classic side Jeonbuk Hyundai while Al Ain lead El Jaish 3-1.
Asian Champions League 2016 Quarter Finals
The 2016 Asian Champions League Quarter Finals this week feature Shanghai SIPG vs Jeonbuk Hyundai, FC Seoul vs Shandong Luneng, Al Ain vs Lokomotiv and El Jaish vs Al Nasr.
Asian Champions League 2016 Gets Underway
The 2016 Asian Champions League gets underway this week with a host of stars arriving at Chinese Super League teams including Alex Teixeira, Ramires and Jackson Martinez.
Asian Champions League Final 2015 Second Leg
Should Guangzhou Evergrande win the AFC Champions League Final this weekend - their second in three years - they will become the undisputed Kings of Asia.
Asian Champions League Final 2015 First Leg
Few people know the AFC Champions League Final First Leg will take place on 7 November at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
AFC Champions League 2015 Quarter Finals
Four former champions - Guangzhou Evergrande (2013), Jeonbuk Hyundai (2006), Gamba Osaka (2008) and Al Hilal (1991, 1999/2000) - are still in contention at the quarter final stage of the AFC Champions League.
AFC Champions League Final First Leg
Tomi Juric's goal gives Western Sydney Wanderers hope after the first leg of the AFC Champions League Final First Leg versus Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
AFC Champions League Rotation
Rotation has undoubtedly been the buzzword for the group stage of the 2014 AFC Champions League.
2014 AFC Champions League
Read a round-up of the early stages of the 2014 Asian Champions League.
AFC Splits Into East & West
The AFC Champions League tournament will be split into two until the Final, still to be played over two legs, ensuring an East vs West final.
Al Sadd
Qatari team Al Sadd win the 2011 Asian Champions League beating the K-League's Jeonbuk Motors.
Adelaide United
Adelaide United secure a place in the knockout stages of the 2010 ACL competition.
ACL Round Up March 2010
Four K-League teams hand out beatings to their Chinese Super League rivals.
ACL Final 2009 Preview
Pohang v Al-Ittihad - in Tokyo in the 2009 Asian Champions League Final.
Asian Champions League Winners
| Season / Year | Champion Club | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Al-Hilal | Saudi Arabia |
| 2000-01 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | South Korea |
| 2001-02 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | South Korea |
| 2002-03 | Al-Ain | UAE |
| 2004 | Al-Ittihad | Saudi Arabia |
| 2005 | Al-Ittihad | Saudi Arabia |
| 2006 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | South Korea |
| 2007 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Japan |
| 2008 | Gamba Osaka | Japan |
| 2009 | Pohang Steelers | South Korea |
| 2010 | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | South Korea |
| 2011 | Al-Sadd | Qatar |
| 2012 | Ulsan Hyundai | South Korea |
| 2013 | Guangzhou Evergrande | China |
| 2014 | Western Sydney Wanderers | Australia |
| 2015 | Guangzhou Evergrande | China |
| 2016 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | South Korea |
| 2017 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Japan |
| 2018 | Kashima Antlers | Japan |
| 2019 | Al-Hilal | Saudi Arabia |
| 2020 | Ulsan Hyundai | South Korea |
| 2021 | Al-Hilal | Saudi Arabia |
| 2022 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Japan |
| 2023-24 | Al-Ain | UAE |
| 2024-25 | Al-Ahli | Saudi Arabia |
| 2025-26 | Al-Ahli | Saudi Arabia |
More Asian Champions League News
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