News: 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite draw made

The K League's three participants in the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite, Ulsan HD, Gangwon FC, and FC Seoul, now know what their fixtures will look like on the continent this season.

K League champions Ulsan HD face two trips to Shanghai to take on Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port, and will also face J.League champions Vissel Kobe away and Thai giants Buriram United at home, among some of the standout fixtures.

Gangwon FC's continental debut sees the Bears host J1 champions Vissel Kobe and face a tricky away trip to Melbourne City, while FC Seoul's return to ACL will see the capital club host Buriram United and Melbourne City but face away trips to Vissel Kobe and Shanghai Shenhua.

In this new format, teams are placed into one single league for the West and East, with the top eight teams in each advancing to the Round of 16.

The league phase will begin on 16th September for the East and will run until 18th February 2026.

The Round of 16 is expected to take place in early March in a home and away format, then the quarters, semis, and final will be played in Saudi Arabia from 17th-25th April.

Full Draw

Ulsan HD

Home: Buriram United, Melbourne City (Pot 1), Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Chengdu Rongcheng (Pot 2)

Away: Shanghai Port, Vissel Kobe (Pot 1), Shanghai Shenhua, Machida Zelvia (Pot 2)

Gangwon FC

Home: Shanghai Port, Vissel Kobe (Pot 1), Shanghai Shenhua, Machida Zelvia (Pot 2)

Away: Buriram United, Melbourne City (Pot 1), Sanfrecca Hiroshima, Chengdu Rongcheng (Pot 2)

FC Seoul

Home: Buriram United, Melbourne City (Pot 1), Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Chengdu Rongcheng (Pot 2)

Away: Shanghai Port, Vissel Kobe (Pot 1), Shanghai Shenhua, Machida Zelvia (Pot 2)

AFC Champions League Two

Pohang have been drawn into Group H along with BG Pathum United of Thailand, Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines, and Tampines Rovers of Singapore.

BG Pathum United enter the competition as the third-placed team in the 2024-2025 Thai League, Tampines Rovers qualify as runners-up in the 2024-2025 Singapore Premier League, while Kaya won the 2024-2025 Philippines Football League title.

Read more here 

New Match Ball

The Asian Football Confederation and KELME have revealed the new official match ball, PARADISE, for the upcoming AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 seasons.

PARADISE marks KELME’s debut as the official match ball supplier for the AFC’s club competitions, which ushered in a brand new era with transformational revamps last season.

 Inspired by the excellence, prestige, and passion of the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two, the official match ball features bold geometric patterns, bright colours and a unique mirrored effect that symbolise the diversity, unity, and shared passion of players and fans from all corners of Asia. Rooted in emotion, the design pays homage to the ability of football to bring people together, creating unforgettable memories for players and fans alike.

KELME, the Official Global Supporter of the AFC club competitions, will supply PARADISE for use in all matches across the 2025/26 season of both the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two. Distinct competition-specific brand colours will be showcased, which ensure a consistent yet unique identity that elevates the prestige of the competitions.

 AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “This launch represents an exciting step forward in our partnership with KELME and underlines our shared commitment to lifting the standards of Asian football. Having already delivered world-class match balls for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, we are fully confident that PARADISE will raise the level of play across the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two to new heights.”

 KELME Chairman Ke Yongxiang said: “We are delighted to provide official match balls for the AFC’s club competitions — an important addition to our renewed partnership with the AFC. We firmly believe that PARADISE not only meets the professional standards of the AFC Champions League Elite™ and AFC Champions League Two™, but also the expectations of global fans with precision with its outstanding performance on the pitch. It will turn every match into a football paradise—where speed meets passion, and the beauty of skill and teamwork comes alive.”

via AFC press release