Asian Champions League Expands To 32 Teams To Boost Competition

The Asian Football Confederationhas recommended a major expansion of its premier club competition, the AFC Champions League Elite, from 24 to 32 teams starting from the 2026/27 season. The proposal, put forward by the AFC Competitions Committee on Tuesday, aims to enhance competitiveness, promote greater inclusivity across the continent, and provide more opportunities for clubs from a wider range of member associations.

Under the proposed new format, the league stage would feature 16 teams in the East Region and 16 teams in the West Region. This balanced split maintains the existing regional structure while increasing the overall number of participating clubs. The expansion is expected to introduce additional qualification pathways and potentially a playoff round ahead of the knockout stages, giving more teams a chance to compete at the highest level of Asian club football.

The move comes after the competition was restructured in the 2024/25 season, when the top tier was reduced from 40 teams to 24 in a bid to prioritise quality and intensity. The current format features two separate leagues of 12 teams each (East and West), with each side playing eight matches. The proposed increase to 32 teams is being described as a “landmark expansion” that builds on the success of the revamped competition while addressing calls for broader representation, particularly from emerging football nations.

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The AFC stated that the reforms would boost the overall standard of Asian club football by rewarding consistent domestic league performance and creating a more attractive platform for players, fans, and commercial partners. If ratified by the AFC Executive Committee, the changes would take effect for the 2026/27 edition, with slot allocations for member associations likely to be adjusted based on the existing ranking system.

This development follows the successful introduction of a three-tier club competition structure — AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two (32 teams), and AFC Challenge League — which has already widened participation pathways. The proposed expansion of the Elite tier is seen as the next logical step to elevate the continent’s flagship tournament while maintaining a focus on high-quality matches.

As the recommendation awaits final approval, Asian club football stands on the cusp of another significant evolution. The increase to 32 teams could inject fresh excitement into the competition, foster greater depth in both regions, and further strengthen the commercial and sporting appeal of the AFC Champions League Elite in the years ahead.

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