AFC Champions League Two

Last updated
AFC Champions League Two
AFC Champions League Two.svg
Organising body AFC
Founded2004;21 years ago (2004) (as AFC Cup)
RegionAsia
Number of teams32 (group stage)
Qualifier for AFC Champions League Elite
Related competitions AFC Champions League Elite (1st tier)
AFC Challenge League (3rd tier)
Current champions Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Sharjah (1st title)
Most successful club(s) Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait
Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
(3 titles each)
Website www.the-afc.acl two.com
Soccerball current event.svg 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two

The AFC Champions League Two (abbreviated as the ACL Two or ACL2) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation. It is the second-tier competition of Asian club football, ranked below the AFC Champions League Elite and above the AFC Challenge League.

Contents

The competition was founded in 2004 as the AFC Cup, it was played primarily among clubs from nations that did not receive direct qualifying slots to the top-tier AFC Champions League. The competition rebranded to its current name in 2024. [1] In a bid to increase competitivenes, its format was also changed to include clubs from higher ranked AFC member associations. The prize money was also increased.

Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. Participation in the competition is open to clubs from the top 12 nations in the East and the West region based on the AFC club competitions ranking. The participant from each nation ranked 1–6 in each region is the highest-placed club in that nation that did not qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite. The nations ranked 7–12 in each region enter their top club(s) directly to the AFC Champions League Two.

The winner of the AFC Champions League Two will be allocated an indirect preliminary stage slot for the next AFC Champions League Elite season, if they have not already qualified through domestic competition. The current champions of the competition is Sharjah, who defeated Lion City Sailors in the 2025 final. Al-Kuwait and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya are the most successful clubs in the competition's history, having won three titles each. Clubs from Kuwait have won four titles, making them the most successful nation in the competition.

History

Winners [2]
SeasonWinners
AFC Cup
2004 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Jaish
2005 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly
2006 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly (2)
2007 Flag of Jordan.svg Shabab Al-Ordon
2008 Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq
2009 Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait SC
2010 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Ittihad Aleppo
2011 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi
2012 Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait SC (2)
2013 Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait SC (3)
2014 Flag of Kuwait.svg Qadsia
2015 Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim
2016 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
2017 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (2)
2018 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (3)
2019 Flag of Lebanon.svg Al-Ahed
2020 Cancelled [a]
2021 Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq (2)
2022 Flag of Oman.svg Al-Seeb
2023–24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Central Coast Mariners
AFC Champions League Two
2024–25 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Sharjah

The AFC Cup began in 2004 as a second-tier competition to relate back to the AFC Champions League, as 14 countries that had developing status competed in the first competition, with 18 teams being nominated. The winners and three runners-up would then head to the knock-out stage. Al-Jaish took the first AFC Cup after they defeated fellow Syrian opponents Al-Wahda on away goals.

In 2005, 18 teams competed from nine nations with the nations still being allowed to choose from one or two teams entering. After Syrian teams left the AFC Cup to try at the AFC Champions League for four years, Al-Faisaly defeated Nejmeh in the final. With it, Jordanian teams would win the next two AFC Cup seasons with Bahrain joining the league while Bangladesh was relegated to the AFC President's Cup until the tournament's abolition in 2014.

Al-Muharraq would break the trend in 2008 as they won the last two-legged final before it headed back into a one-leg system, a rule that was never changed until now.

On 23 December 2022, it was announced that the AFC competition structure would change from the established formats from the 2024–25 season. A new second-tier tournament called the AFC Champions League Two would be introduced. [3] Meanwhile, a new third-tier competition was also launched under the name AFC Challenge League. [4] [5] [6]

On 24 May 2024, AFC announced that the records and statistics of the preceding AFC club competitions will be recognised and integrated within the revamped club competitions, with the data from the AFC Cup transferring to the AFC Champions League Two. [7]

Format

Map of AFC countries whose teams reached the group stage of the AFC Cup/ACL Two .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} AFC member country that has been represented in the group stage AFC member country that has not been represented in the group stage AFC members AFC Cup group stage.png
Map of AFC countries whose teams reached the group stage of the AFC Cup/ACL Two
  AFC member country that has been represented in the group stage
  AFC member country that has not been represented in the group stage

Some changes were applied in terms of teams and format for the 2017 AFC Cup. A total of 36 teams participated in the group stage (12 each from West Asia and ASEAN, and 4 each from East Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia). The final is played as a one-off match.

Allocation

The allocation of group stage teams by member country was listed below; asterisks represent occasions where at least one team was eliminated in qualification for the group stage. Those who had not reached the group stage but had only played in qualification are not bolded.

AssociationsSpots
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26
EAFF
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 0000000000000000000011
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Chinese Taipei 00000000000000*111*112*00
Flag of Guam.svg Guam 00000000000000*00000000
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong 1222222222222002122022
Flag of Japan.svg Japan 0000000000000000000011
Flag of Macau.svg Macau 0000000000000*0101001*00
Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia 0000000000000*10*0*0*10*100
Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 0000000000000221*000000
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 0000000000000000000011
Total1222222222222344443455
AFF
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Part of OFC 0000000000000000211
Flag of Brunei.svg Brunei 00000000000000000*0*00*00
Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia 00000000000001*111221*00
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia 00000122122200222222*11*
Flag of Laos.svg Laos 00000000000110*0*11*0*10*00
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia 2222221022222210022211
Flag of Myanmar.svg Myanmar 00000000222222222001*00
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 000000000001*2222201221*
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 22222111222222222221*22
Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand 000±102221000000000003*3*
Flag of East Timor.svg Timor-Leste 00000000000000000*10000
Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam 0001022222200222221112
Total44464887101010109111212121111121111
SAFF
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 122000000000*11*1*11*1*1*1*00
Flag of Bhutan.svg Bhutan 0000000000000*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*00
Flag of India.svg India 22222222222222221*222*1*2*
Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives 222222221*22221*1*021*1*1*00
Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal 000000000000*00*0100*0*0*00
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan 0000000000000*000000000
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 00000000000000*00*0*0*0*000
Total5664444434445444444412
CAFA
Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg Afghanistan 00000000000000*00000000
Flag of Iran.svg Iran 000000000000000000002*2*
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Kyrgyzstan 000000000010*0*21*1*2221*00
Flag of Tajikistan.svg Tajikistan 000000000211*1*1*1*22221*21*
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Turkmenistan 222200000001*1*1*21*2222*1*2*
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Uzbekistan 0000011210000000111011
Total2222011212222444777466
WAFF
Flag of Bahrain.svg Bahrain 00112210012222222221*1*2
Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq 0000020322222220000211
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan 0223222222222222220122
Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait 000002333222000221221*0
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon 2222232222222222222200
Flag of Oman.svg Oman 101222222221*2221*1*021*00*
Flag of Palestine.svg Palestine 00000000000*1*20*0*11221*00
Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar 0000001000000000000011
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia 0000000010000000000011
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Syria 2000023321*2222222222*00
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates 000000000000000000002*1
Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen 10022222220*0*0000000000
Total646101017161716141414141212121211121298
Total
Finals18182024203231323232323232343636393737363232
Qualifying18182024203231323333344140504443484343493435

Prize money

The prize money as of the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two are as follows, in United States dollar (USD): [8]

RoundTeamsAmount
Per teamTotal
Final (Champions)1$2.5 million
Final (Runners-up)1$1 million
Semi-finals4$240,000$960,000
Quarter-finals8$160,000$1,280,000
Round of 1616$80,000$1,280,000
Group stage32$300,000$9,600,000
Total32$16,620,000

Marketing

Sponsorship

The tournament has been sponsored by a group of multinational corporations, in contrast to the single main sponsor typically found in national top-flight leagues.

Official Global Partners

Official Global Supporters

Records and statistics

Results

List of AFC Cup and AFC Champions League Two finals
SeasonWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueAttendance
AFC Cup era (2004–2024)
Two-legged format
2004 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Jaish 3–2 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Wahda Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus, Syria
0–1 Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus, Syria
Aggregate 3–3, Al-Jaish won on away goals.
2005 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly 1–0 Flag of Lebanon.svg Nejmeh Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
3–2 Rafic Hariri Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
Al-Faisaly won 4–2 on aggregate.
2006 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly 3–0 Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan7,000
2–4 Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain3,000
Al-Faisaly won 5–4 on aggregate.
2007 Flag of Jordan.svg Shabab Al-Ordon 1–0 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan5,500
1–1 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan7,500
Shabab Al-Ordon won 2–1 on aggregate.
2008 Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq 5–1 Flag of Lebanon.svg Safa Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain6,000
5–4 Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon2,000
Al-Muharraq won 10–5 on aggregate.
Single match format
2009 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait 2–1 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Karamah Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait17,400
2010 Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Al-Ittihad 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Qadsia Jaber International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait58,604
2011 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf 2–1 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi, Uzbekistan15,753
2012 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait 4–0 Flag of Iraq.svg Erbil Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil, Iraq30,000
2013 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait 2–0 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Qadsia Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait10,000
2014 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Qadsia 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		 Flag of Iraq.svg Erbil Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, UAE5,240
2015 Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim 1–0 Flag of Tajikistan.svg Istiklol Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan18,000
2016 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1–0 Flag of India.svg Bengaluru Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar5,806
2017 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1–0 Flag of Tajikistan.svg Istiklol Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor, Tajikistan20,000
2018 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 2–0 Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Altyn Asyr Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq24,665
2019 Flag of Lebanon.svg Al-Ahed 1–0 Flag of North Korea.svg April 25 Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia500
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia. [17]
2021 Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq 3–0 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Al-Muharraq Stadium, Arad, Bahrain9,060
2022 Flag of Oman.svg Al-Seeb 3–0 Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur City Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia27,722
2023–24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Central Coast Mariners 1–0 Flag of Lebanon.svg Al-Ahed Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman1,930
AFC Champions League Two era (2024–present)
2024–25 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Sharjah 2–1 Flag of Singapore.svg Lion City Sailors Bishan Stadium, Singapore9,737

Performance by club

Performances in the AFC Cup and AFC Champions League Two by club
Club		WinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runners-up
Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Kuwait 31 2009, 2012, 2013 2011
Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 30 2016, 2017, 2018
Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Faisaly 21 2005, 2006 2007
Flag of Bahrain.svg Al-Muharraq 21 2008, 2021 2006
Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Qadsia 12 2014 2010, 2013
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi 11 2011 2021
Flag of Lebanon.svg Al-Ahed 11 2019 2023–24
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Al-Jaish 10 2004
Flag of Jordan.svg Shabab Al-Ordon 10 2007
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Al-Ittihad 10 2010
Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim 10 2015
Flag of Oman.svg Al-Seeb 10 2022
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Central Coast Mariners 10 2023–24
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Sharjah 10 2024–25
Flag of Iraq.svg Erbil 02 2012, 2014
Flag of Tajikistan.svg Istiklol 02 2015, 2017
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Al-Wahda 01 2004
Flag of Lebanon.svg Nejmeh 01 2005
Flag of Lebanon.svg Safa 01 2008
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Al-Karamah 01 2009
Flag of India.svg Bengaluru 01 2016
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Altyn Asyr 01 2018
Flag of North Korea.svg April 25 01 2019
Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur City 01 2022
Flag of Singapore.svg Lion City Sailors 01 2024–25

Performance by nation

NationTitlesRunners-upTotal
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 437
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 325
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 314
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria 224
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 213
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 134
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 112
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 112
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 101
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 101
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 101
Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 022
Flag of India.svg  India 011
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 011
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 011
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 011

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ↑ "Sharjah stitch their name onto the illustrious #ACLTwo Roll of Honour!". Instagram.
  3. ↑ "History beckons for AFC Cup 2023/24 contenders as final edition of popular competition kicks off". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee recommends strategic reforms to elevate Asian club football". theAFC.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women's Champions League". AFC. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "AFC Club Competitions 2024/25 Slot Allocation" (PDF). Football Association of Singapore. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee". the-AFC. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  8. ↑ The AFC Hub (2024-06-19). AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 . Retrieved 2024-06-20– via YouTube.
  9. ↑ "AFC and NEOM announce global multi-year partnership extension". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  10. ↑ Long, Michael (18 December 2023). "AFC lands six-year Qatar Airways sponsorship deal". SportsPro. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "AFC and Qatar Airways announce global partnership". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 16 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "AFC and KONAMI sign new sponsorship and licensing deal". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Midea becomes Global Supporter of the AFC's club competitions". the-AFC. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  14. ↑ "AFC appoints world-leading ball manufacturer Molten as official match ball supplier". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 May 2018. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "TECNO becomes Official Global Supporter of AFC Club Competitions". the-AFC. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  16. ↑ "AFC and Visa expand partnership". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  17. ↑ "AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar". AFC. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  18. ↑ "AFC Cup: Marañón leads all-time top scorers". the-afc.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
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