2026 AWARDS: ABOUT THE AWARDS
Grand Palace (Photo: Matt Hunt/ANADOLU/Anadolu via AFP)
Since its low-key beginnings in 1994, the AFC Awards ceremony has come a long way and transformed into Asian football’s biggest and most highly anticipated annual event that recognises and honours the best talent and achievements on the Continent.
The gala, which adopted its current name as of the 2025 edition, brings together fans, players and officials on a glittering platform to proudly showcase Asian champions for their remarkable contributions to the game.
The highest accolade bestowed by the Confederation, the AFC Diamond of Asia, will be presented along with the headline AFC Player of the Year and AFC Women’s Player of the Year trophies, with 16 other awards that shine the spotlight on deserving players, officials, Member Associations and Regional Associations.
Chao Phraya River (Photo: Chanat Katanyu/Bangkok Post/Bangkok Post via AFP)
THE TROPHY
The most prestigious night in the Asian football calendar culminates in the AFC Player of the Year awards, which crown the most stellar men’s and women’s performers.
A dazzling update was introduced for the trophy design at the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025, as the acclaimed unveiling of the new AFC brand identity at the start of 2025 presented the opportune moment to implement a revamp for the first time since the preceding design was introduced in 2007.
The new visual appearance was conceptualised by integrating the essence of the new AFC corporate brand, including the new AFC logo. This was achieved through subtle details, such as an “A” shape at the top of the vanes of the new trophy that would complement the AFC logo on the central band, while retaining the overall look and shape and integrity of the original award.
NEW AFC AWARDS TROPHIES
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The AFC Player of the Year trophy was designed and crafted in their London workshops by world-renowned goldsmiths Thomas Lyte, who also created the previous trophy. Responsible for the design, making and restoration of some of the world’s iconic sporting silverware such as the English FA Cup and Rugby World Cup, Thomas Lyte have produced many of the AFC’s trophies in recent history, including the AFC Asian Cup™, AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Champions League Two™, AFC Women’s Champions League™ and AFC Challenge League™.
Trophy photos courtesy of Thomas Lyte