AFC Champions League Elite 2026-27 league stage draw held in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The draw for the league stage of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite was held on Thursday in the Malaysian capital, with the competition expanding from 24 to 32 clubs split evenly between east and west regions. West region matches are scheduled to begin on Sept. 14-15, 2026 and run through February 2027, after which the competition will move into knockout rounds. Each club will play eight matches, facing two opponents from each of the four tiers. The draw produced a demanding fixture list for Saudi Arabia's clubs. Al-Hilal, who met Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in last season's semifinals, were paired again with the UAE side. They will also face Iran's Tractor, Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadisiyah, and representatives from Qatar, the UAE and Uzbekistan. Al-Nassr will play Qatar's Al-Sadd, Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli, Iran's Sepahan and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, while defending champion Al-Ahli will meet Shabab Al-Ahli, Al-Ain, Esteghlal of Iran, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Pakhtakor, Al-Ittihad and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. No further details on the full fixture schedule were immediately available.