Celebrating 10 years of club glory

The AFC Champions League was launched in 2002 as a successor to the Asian Club Championship, but 2009 marked a historic shift to enhance the stature of the competition and its transformation into one of the world’s best club continental tournaments.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, said: “In 2009, the AFC marked a new era of professionalism in Asian club football. It paved the way for a bigger, better and richer AFC Champions League competition.

“A decade later, we have a club competition few in the world can match. From record attendances to greater fan engagement, the AFC Champions League continues to capture imaginations in Asia and beyond. Above all, it provides the ultimate stage for the stars of the Asian game to shine.

“I would like to thank the clubs, the AFC Member Associations, the fans and our commercial and media partners who have played a pivotal role to ensure the success of the AFC Champions League, not just for this season but for the decades of continental club football.”