Fiery draw in Asia: Al-Hilal clash with Al-Ain, and Gulf showdowns ignite the elite
Results of the league phase draw in the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite
The draw for the league phase of the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite threw up some heavyweight Arab clashes when it was held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
This season arrives with an expanded format. The Asian Football Confederation have increased the number of clubs in the league phase to 32 teams, up from 24 in previous editions.
Action begins on 14 and 15 September 2026 with the opening round, followed by the second round on 12 and 13 October, then the third on 26 and 27 of the same month. The fourth round follows on 2 and 3 November.
Round five lands on 23 and 24 November, with the sixth on 7 and 8 December, before the temporary break.
League phase matches resume in early 2027, the seventh round falling on 8 and 9 February. A decisive eighth round on 15 and 16 February brings the stage to a close, paving the way for the knockout rounds that will reveal the identity of the new champion.
In the West Region, the draw served up heavyweight Gulf ties for the Saudi clubs. The pick of the bunch pits Al Hilal against the UAE's Al Ain in a repeat of last season's semi-final. Al Nassr face Qatar's Al Sadd, while Al Ahli meet the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli.
Saudi Arabia's representatives found their paths almost aligned, drawn against the same block of Qatari, Emirati and Uzbek clubs. Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad will face Al Ain, Al Wasl, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al Shamal, Nasaf and Pakhtakor in a league phase that will be decisive for direct qualification.
The draw results for the West Region were as follows:
Path one: Al Hilal - Al Ain - Al Sadd - Shabab - Al Ahli - Nasaf - Al Gharafa - Al Wasl - Al Shamal - Pakhtakor.
Path two: Al Nassr - Al Sadd - Al Ain - Nasaf - Shabab Al Ahli - Al Gharafa - Al Wasl - Al Shamal - Pakhtakor.
Path three: Al Ahli - Al Ain - Al Sadd - Nasaf - Shabab Al Ahli - Al Gharafa - Al Wasl - Pakhtakor - Al Shamal.
Path four: Al Ittihad - Al Ain - Al Sadd - Shabab Al Ahli - Nasaf - Al Gharafa - Al Wasl - Pakhtakor - Al Shamal.
