News

Preview: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Preview: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Dubai: Al Wasl FC and Al Ahli Saudi FC will be equally determined to get on the winning trail when they square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Monday.

UAE's Al Wasl suffered defeat in their opening match while defending champions Al Ahli needed a late goal to salvage a point.

Preview: Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Qadsiah Club (KSA)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Preview: Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Qadsiah Club (KSA)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor will expect to make home ground advantage count when they face Al Qadsiah Club in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Monday.

The side from Uzbekistan opened their League Stage campaign with a draw while Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah savoured victory.

#ACLElite - MD2: 5 things to look out for

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

#ACLElite - MD2: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ beckons as the 32 clubs resume their bids for continental glory following the three-week international break.

A pulsating opening round of games left several teams having to already play catch-up, ensuring the upcoming matchday will have plenty of thrills and spills.

The-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for with matches to be played across the continent from Monday to Wednesday.

'Be patient, and never think it's over': Match Predictor champion Kaveh on winning the 2025/26 title and the new Matchday format

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

'Be patient, and never think it's over': Match Predictor champion Kaveh on winning the 2025/26 title and the new Matchday format

Kuala Lumpur: Kaveh topped thousands of players to win the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Match Predictor. Ahead of his title defence, the Sydney-based engineer explains how he won, why the new format has him playing aggressively, and what it takes to beat him.

Born in the Islamic Republic of Iran and now living in Australia, Kaveh has followed Asian football closely for a long time. A former amateur football coach who now works in engineering, he brought a numbers-first approach to the Match Predictor last season, and it took him all the way to the top of the leaderboard.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-matchday-two-1

AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report is now available on the-AFC.com, offering an in-depth review of a campaign that showcased the evolving standards of Asia’s premier club competition.

Marking the second edition of the revamped format, Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned champions following a 1-0 extra-time victory against Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, becoming only the second team after Al Ittihad Club to successfully defend the title.

Alrajhi Bank named Official Global Supporter of AFC Club Competitions

Wed, 07 Oct, 2026

Alrajhi Bank named Official Global Supporter of AFC Club Competitions

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced Alrajhi Bank as an Official Global Supporter of the AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Champions League Two™ and AFC Women's Champions League™, covering the 2026–2029 cycle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership builds on Alrajhi Bank's existing association as an Official Regional Partner of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Across the 2026–2029 cycle, Alrajhi Bank will deliver a series of fan engagement activations for supporters in Saudi Arabia. These initiatives include the Official Coin Toss, a Player Escort Kids programme, exclusive stadium experiences and digital activations at selected matches, which aims to bring fans closer to the action at every stage of the competition. Together, these initiatives reflect Alrajhi Bank’s commitment to ensuring  fans are at the centre of Asian club football's biggest moments, season after season.

AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 - League Stage Match Schedule

Visa expands AFC partnership to support Asia’s top club competitions through to 2029

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Visa expands AFC partnership to support Asia’s top club competitions through to 2029

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced Visa as an Official Global Supporter of the AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Champions League Two™ and AFC Women's Champions League™, spanning the 2026-2029 cycle.

The worldwide partnership extends Visa's relationship with the AFC and brings its global payment services expertise to Asia’s leading club competitions, helping enhance access and convenience for fans across the region.

#ACLElite – Vote for your Matchday 1 Player of the Match Presented by STA

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

#ACLElite – Vote for your Matchday 1 Player of the Match Presented by STA

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 League Stage got off to a thrilling start, with Matchday 1 delivering goals, comebacks and standout individual performances from East to West. 

Below is a shortlist drawn from the Player of the Match winners - now it’s over to you to pick your favourite from the best of the best. 

#ACLElite - Vote for your Favourite Goal of The Matchday 1, Presented by VISA

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

#ACLElite - Vote for your Favourite Goal of The Matchday 1, Presented by VISA

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 delivered a feast of memorable strikes, from stunning solo efforts and well-worked team moves to hat-trick heroes and late drama, which lightened up the opening matches of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™. 

Watch the contenders, pick the finish that impressed you most, and cast your vote for the Visa Top Goal of MD1. 

#ACLElite - Matchday One: What They Said

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

#ACLElite - Matchday One: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ got off to an enthralling start, with Matchday One delivering goals, drama and memorable performances across the continent.

The-AFC.com looks back at what some of the key protagonists had to say after the opening round of matches.