Saudi Arabia confirmed to host Asian Champions League Elite finals

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as host of the next three Asian Champions League Elite finals. The Asian Football Confederation’s executive committee made permanent what had previously been provisional hosting rights, extending Saudi Arabia’s role in staging the closing rounds of Asia’s top club football competition.

The country has already hosted the first two editions under the competition’s revamped format, introduced before the 2024/25 season. Under that structure, the quarterfinals, semifinals and final are held at one central venue. Jeddah has staged the finals so far, with local club Al-Ahli winning both titles: against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in 2025 and against Machida Zelvia in May. Al-Ahli’s most recent win was a 1-0 victory after extra time.

The report said the coming edition will expand its league phase from 24 teams to 32, with domestic champions from leading Asian competitions among the participants. Qualifying is scheduled to begin on August 11, the league-phase draw is due in Kuala Lumpur on August 18, and matches in that stage are set to start on September 14.

The decision keeps one of the AFC’s most prominent club events in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom continues to host major football fixtures. For regional context, Al-Hilal, also from the Saudi Pro League, remain the competition’s most successful club with four titles and nine final appearances. Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers have each won the trophy twice.