The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has chosen the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to host the first two editions of the Asian Champions League Elite finals when the continent’s revamped elite club competition begins next season.
This decision aligns with the AFC’s efforts to strengthen and enhance its competitions, with a particular focus on the premier club tournament, the AFC Champions League.
The revamped format of the tournament will feature the participation of 24 clubs, divided into two groups, each comprising 12 teams in the Western and Eastern regions.
These clubs will compete in a league-style format with home and away fixtures to determine the teams advancing to the Round of 16.
Following this stage, the victorious teams in the Round of 16 will secure their places in the decisive phases of the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in the Asian continent.
These critical stages will include the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, which will all be held in Saudi Arabia during the next two seasons.
The pivotal matches of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite Stage are scheduled to take place from April 25th to May 4th, 2025.
The AFC has also announced that the champions of this edition will receive a record-breaking prize money of $12 million.
This significant prize money represents a threefold increase compared to the $4 million awarded to the current tournament champions.
The runner-up will receive $6 million, a substantial increase from the $2 million prize for the second-place finisher in the current edition.
This move reflects the AFC’s commitment to elevating the status of the AFC Champions League and making it one of the most prestigious and financially rewarding club competitions globally.
Saudi Arabia’s role as the host for these crucial matches underscores the nation’s growing prominence in the world of football.
The AFC’s decision to enhance its competitions and increase prize money not only benefits clubs and players but also contributes to the overall development and growth of football in Asia.
