Saudi Arabia will host the next three editions of the Asian Champions League Elite finals after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee confirmed on Friday that the country’s provisional hosting rights had been made permanent.
Saudi Arabia has staged the first two editions of the revamped competition, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final played at a centralized venue following the tournament’s restructuring ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Jeddah club Al-Ahli won the title on both occasions, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the 2025 final before overcoming fellow J-League side Machida Zelvia in May to retain the continental crown.
The AFC also confirmed that the upcoming edition of the competition will expand from 24 to 32 teams in the league phase, featuring the domestic champions and leading clubs from across Asia.
Qualifying matches are scheduled to begin on Aug. 11, while the league phase draw will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 18. The league stage is set to kick off on Sept. 14.
