The 2024/25 AFC Champions League season will mark a new era for Asian club football, with the tournament set to introduce a new format.
The top level of the revised three-tier set-up is the AFC Champions League Elite, featuring 24 clubs divided across the East and West regions.
Read on as we explore what these changes entail and the implications for football in the region from a business perspective.
UAE Clubs Eager to Impress This Season
Reigning champions Al-Ain defeated Japanese heavyweights Yokohama F Marinos in the final last season to take the trophy back to the United Arab Emirates.
They are one of the favourites to win it again and carry the hopes of the UAE this term. They will be joined by Al-Wasl, who won the UAE Pro League title for the eighth time last season.
Al-Wasl lost only one league game on their way to victory and also clinched the Presidents Cup. They will be desperate to improve on their recent uninspiring showings in the AFC Champions League.
Shabab Al-Ahli finished second last term but failed to climb into the top tier via the preliminary rounds after losing to Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
The new league format means each UAE club will play eight matches - four at home and four away - against different opponents. The set-up increases the number of high-profile matches for fans.
The expanded group stage allows clubs to benefit commercially by generating more ticket sales, broadcasting revenue and visibility for sponsors.
Central Coast Mariners Fly the Flag for Australia
A-League champions Central Coast Mariners will have their work cut out to make their mark in what is guaranteed to be a challenging tournament.
The Mariners are the favourites to retain their Australian league title, but contending with the giants on the continental stage is a different ball game.
Aussie punters will be searching for expert insights on respected comparison platform https://www.bettingtop10.com.au/ in the hope of finding some useful wagering angles.
While the Mariners are not expected to progress beyond the opening phase, they will be hoping they can upset the odds in the revamped competition.
This expanded format will increase their exposure and provide a platform for them to showcase their talent and the potential of Australian football.
The Mariners also stand to benefit financially. More matches will generate increased revenue opportunities through sponsorship, merchandise sales and broadcasting rights.
The Australian club must pull in all the revenue they can as they usually operate on a tighter budget than their Asian counterparts and need the funds to compete.
Expansion Offers AFC an Opportunity to Grow
The AFC's decision to restructure the Champions League into a three-tier system is a ploy to boost the competition's commercial potential and global appeal.
With the number of games increasing from 274 to 287, the AFC will create more content for broadcasters, sponsors and fans. This content has massive long-term value as football continues to grow as a business on the Asian continent.
The new format allows sponsors to engage more with the fans. The AFC has already launched new brands, anthems and trophies in a bid to boost the tournament's appeal and identity.
This branding effort is desperately needed because it helps solidify the connection between Asian football fans and the competition. The AFC's long-term success will be judged on its ability to cultivate and expand this connection.
Revamping the knockout stage to be hosted at a central location also creates a carnival-like atmosphere for the games, attracting fans across the continent. As seen in Europe, centralised finals generate more economic and cultural impact.
The decision to structure the competition by region creates rivalries, which football thrives upon. It will also help build regional fanbases, another element crucial for growing the beautiful game in Asia.
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