The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially announced the venues for the highly anticipated AFC Champions League Elite Finals 2024/25, with Saudi Arabia set to host the concluding stages of Asia's premier club competition.
Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium have been selected as the battlegrounds where the continent’s top eight clubs will compete for glory in a centralized, single-leg format between April 25 and May 3, 2025. The decision follows the AFC’s earlier appointment of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as host for both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 editions.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be split between the two venues, while the grand finale will be staged at King Abdullah Sports City. The winners of the AFC Champions League Elite™ will claim an unprecedented USD 12 million prize, the highest ever awarded in Asian club football. The runner-up will also receive a significantly increased purse of USD 6 million, marking a threefold rise in financial rewards compared to the 2023/24 season.
Round of 16 Match-Ups Set
With the league stage concluded, the AFC Champions League Elite™ Round of 16 is set to deliver thrilling encounters. Esteghlal FC (IRN) was the final team to secure qualification from the West Zone, joining powerhouse clubs such as Al Hilal SFC, Al Nassr Club, and Al Ahli Saudi FC from Saudi Arabia, alongside Al Sadd SC (QAT), Al Wasl FC (UAE), Al Rayyan SC (QAT), and Pakhtakor FC (UZB).
Meanwhile, in the East Zone, Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos topped their group and will be joined in the knockout rounds by Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (MAS), Gwangju FC (KOR), Vissel Kobe (JPN), Buriram United (THA), Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN), and Shanghai Port FC (CHN).
The Round of 16 will take place over two legs, with the first fixtures scheduled between March 3 and 5, followed by return legs a week later.
West Zone Fixtures:
Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs. Pakhtakor FC (UZB)
Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) vs. Al Rayyan SC (QAT)
Al Nassr Club (KSA) vs. Esteghlal FC (IRN)
Al Sadd SC (QAT) vs. Al Wasl FC (UAE)
East Zone Fixtures:
Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) vs. Shanghai Port FC (CHN)
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs. Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)
Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (MAS) vs. Buriram United (THA)
Gwangju FC (KOR) vs. Vissel Kobe (JPN)
With the stage set and stakes higher than ever, the AFC Champions League Elite™ promises to deliver an electrifying climax as Asia’s best battle for continental supremacy.
Eleven groups drawn as 44 teams begin the road to Saudi Arabia 2026. Qualifiers kick off this September across Asia.