August 19 – AFC Champions League Elite winners Al Ahli Saudi will open their defence of their title against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in Jeddah on September 14 as they battle to win a third consecutive ACL title.

The draw, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, also matched them against two-time winners Al Ain FC (UAE), 2011 champions Al Sadd SC (QAT), Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), PFC Neftchi (UZB), Al Gharafa SC (QAT), Al Wasl FC (UAE), and Al Shamal SC (QAT).

Expanded to 32 teams in the league stage for the first time, clubs will play nine games in the 16-team regional East and West leagues.

The League Stage will complete in February 2027 with the top eight finishers from region’s League Stage going through to the Round of 16, to be played from March 1 to 17, 2027.

A centralised Finals from the quarter finals onwards will then be played in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027.

In the West league former Asian champions Al Hilal SFC from Saudi Arabia will meet Al Ain (UAE), Al Sadd (Qatar), Shabab Al Ahli, PFC Neftchi, Al Gharafa, Al Wasl, Pakhtakor and Al Shamal.

In the East league South Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are bidding for a third continental title will begin against Shanghai Port FC (CHN), Kashima Antlers (JPN), Vissel Kobe (JPN), Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (MAS), Kashiwa Reysol (JPN), Beijing FC (CHN), debutants Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) and Gamba Osaka (JPN).
Former winners and Japanese champions Kashima Antlers return to the ACL for the first time since 2019 with ties against Daejeon Hanacitizen (KOR), Port FC (THA), FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Buriram United (THA), Newcastle Jets FC (AUS) and Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE).

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