Saudi Arabia to host AFC Champions League Elite finals until 2029

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the final stages of the AFC Champions League Elite for the next three seasons, running through to 2029. This decision establishes the Kingdom as the permanent host for the tournament's climax following the successful delivery of previous editions.

The AFC executive committee ratified the arrangement, which covers the finals for the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 seasons. While initial approval granted in December 2023 was temporary, it has now transitioned into a permanent accreditation. The confederation cited the organisational success of the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 editions as the primary motivation for keeping the finals on Saudi soil.

This long-term commitment reflects the AFC's growing confidence in the Kingdom's sporting infrastructure and operational capabilities. The consistency in hosting locations is expected to provide greater stability for participating clubs and fans planning for the tournament's final rounds.

Starting from the 2026-2027 season, the tournament will undergo significant format changes, expanding to 32 teams. The new structure will see the draw divided into four levels, with teams playing two matches against clubs from each level. Additionally, kick-off times for the final round of the league stage will be unified across the East and West regions to ensure competitive fairness.

In separate news, the AFC executive committee confirmed that Japan will host the 2028 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which serves as the qualification tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.