AFC Champions League 2024-25: Unveiling the New Era of Asian Football Excellence

Based on the information available, the 2024-25 AFC Champions League tournament will feature the following teams:

• Teams participating in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite (43rd edition)
• Urawa Red Diamonds, the previous season\'s winner
• Teams participating in the inaugural edition of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2)

The AFC has introduced a new format to foster a competitive environment, including a three-tier system and an increased foreign player quota. This strategic reform aims to elevate the quality and excitement of Asian club football.

Host Country

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the hosting rights for the final stage of the competition, reinforcing its status as a central hub for football in the region. The finals will take place from April 25 to May 4, 2025, highlighting the kingdom\"s world-class facilities and hospitality.

Prize Money

The winner of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite will receive a record $12 million, signifying the AFC\"s commitment to rewarding excellence and attracting top talent.

The league stage kicks off in September 2024, with teams competing in a series of home and away matches. The top clubs will advance through the preliminary rounds, league stage, and onto the knockout rounds, culminating in the final in May 2025.

The AFC has introduced a new format to foster a competitive environment, including a three-tier system and an increased foreign player quota. This strategic reform aims to elevate the quality and excitement of Asian club football.

Host Country

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the hosting rights for the final stage of the competition, reinforcing its status as a central hub for football in the region. The finals will take place from April 25 to May 4, 2025, highlighting the kingdom\"s world-class facilities and hospitality.

Prize Money

The winner of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite will receive a record $12 million, signifying the AFC\"s commitment to rewarding excellence and attracting top talent.

The AFC has introduced a new format to foster a competitive environment, including a three-tier system and an increased foreign player quota. This strategic reform aims to elevate the quality and excitement of Asian club football.

Host Country

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the hosting rights for the final stage of the competition, reinforcing its status as a central hub for football in the region. The finals will take place from April 25 to May 4, 2025, highlighting the kingdom\"s world-class facilities and hospitality.

Prize Money

The winner of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite will receive a record $12 million, signifying the AFC\"s commitment to rewarding excellence and attracting top talent.

The 2024-25 AFC Champions League marks a significant evolution in the landscape of Asian club football, showcasing the continent\"s premier teams in a newly reformatted competition. This edition represents the first under the new title of \"AFC Champions League Elite,\" reflecting its enhanced prestige and competitiveness. With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the helm, this tournament enters its 43rd edition, promising to deliver top-tier football action across Asia.

The competition sees a reduction in the main stage teams to 24, strategically divided into East and West regions, ensuring a balanced representation of Asian football prowess. Each region hosts 12 teams, with each team playing eight matches - four at home and four away, against different clubs within their region. This structure not only intensifies regional rivalries but also minimizes travel burdens, fostering a more competitive environment.

Qualification for this elite tournament is a testament to club performance, with direct entrants from leagues and cup competitions across various AFC member associations. The provisional list of participating teams reflects the diversity and strength of Asian football, with clubs from the West and East Regions, including powerhouses from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and China, among others.

The tournament schedule is meticulously planned, starting with preliminary rounds in July 2024 and culminating in the grand final on 4 May 2025. This schedule underscores the AFC\"s commitment to delivering a seamless and exciting football calendar for fans, players, and stakeholders alike.

This edition of the AFC Champions League not only celebrates the rich heritage of Asian club football but also embarks on a new journey of excellence and innovation. With increased financial distribution, lifted foreign player quotas, and a new competition format, the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite is set to elevate the standard of football across the continent, engaging fans with unparalleled excitement and showcasing Asia\"s football talent on the global stage.

The AFC Champions League 2024-25 introduces a groundbreaking format and structure, marking a significant evolution in the competition\"s history. Aimed at enhancing the competitive landscape and offering a more engaging experience for fans, the new format aligns with the AFC\"s vision of elevating the prestige of Asian club football.

• The competition now features a three-tier system, designed to increase participation and competitiveness across different levels of club football in Asia.
• The top tier, known as the \"Elite\" tier, comprises 24 clubs divided evenly between the East and West regions. This ensures a balanced representation and rivalry across the continent.
• Clubs will engage in a league format within their respective regions, playing four home and four away matches against eight different teams. This setup promises more matches for each club, ensuring a dynamic and competitive tournament.
• The top eight teams from each region advance to the knockout stage, with the Round of 16 played in a home and away format. From the quarter-finals onwards, matches shift to single-leg ties at a centralized venue, adding to the drama and intensity of the competition.
• The second and third tiers of the competition aim to offer more clubs the opportunity to compete on an international stage, thereby contributing to the development and exposure of clubs across the continent.
• In a significant move to foster inclusivity and global talent, the foreign player quota has been revised, allowing clubs to include more international players in their squads.
• Financial distribution has been significantly increased, underlining the AFC\"s commitment to supporting club development and sustainability.

This comprehensive restructuring not only promises to bring more exciting football to fans but also plays a crucial role in developing the sport across Asia. By offering a platform for clubs at various competitive levels, the AFC Champions League 2024-25 is set to be a landmark edition in the annals of Asian club football.

The 2024-25 AFC Champions League\"s revamped structure brings a new set of qualification criteria, designed to promote competitive balance and ensure representation from across the continent. These criteria reflect the AFC\"s commitment to inclusivity, excellence, and the development of club football in Asia.

• Participation in the AFC Champions League 2024-25 is determined by the AFC Club Competitions Ranking, which is based on the performance of member associations\" clubs over the previous four years in AFC competitions.
• The competition features a diverse array of teams from the East and West regions of Asia, ensuring a broad representation of the continent\"s footballing talent.
• Direct entry to the league stage is granted to clubs from member associations with the highest rankings, while others may enter through the preliminary and playoff rounds.
• The \"Elite\" tier consists of 24 teams, split evenly between the East and West regions, with each region hosting 12 teams.
• Teams are required to meet stringent club licensing criteria set by the AFC, ensuring that participating clubs maintain high standards in terms of facilities, youth development, and administration.
• For the first time, the AFC Champions League will operate under a three-tier system, with clubs participating in the competition based on their performance both domestically and in previous AFC competitions.
• The qualification process is designed to be transparent and merit-based, offering clubs from all member associations the opportunity to compete on Asia\"s biggest stage.

This comprehensive approach to team selection and qualification underscores the AFC\"s vision of enhancing the competitive environment of club football in Asia, fostering development and showcasing the continent\"s footballing prowess to the world.

The AFC Champions League 2024-25 season is set to unfold with a meticulously planned schedule, designed to align with the international football calendar and provide clubs with optimal preparation time. Here are the key dates and match schedule for this landmark edition of the tournament: