The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 is set to get underway on September 15, with 32 clubs from across Asia beginning their campaigns for one of the continent’s major club football titles.
Previously known as the AFC Cup, Asia’s second-tier men’s club competition was renamed the AFC Champions League Two from the 2024/25 season. The upcoming campaign marks the 22nd edition of the competition.
The 32 participating clubs have been divided into eight groups, with four groups representing the West region and four representing the East.
The field includes five former champions and 11 newcomers to the competition, highlighting a mix of established continental contenders and emerging clubs.
Among the newcomers are Adelaide United, Al Jazira, Al Wahda, FC Machida Zelvia, FC Seoul, Gangwon FC, Melbourne Victory, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, Shanghai Shenhua, Golgohar Sirjan and Kuching City.
Golgohar Sirjan and Kuching City will also make their first appearances in continental club competition.
West-region action begins on September 15, when Iranian side Golgohar Sirjan face UAE club Al Jazira at Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan.
Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag will also begin their campaign that day against Bahrain’s two-time champions Al Muharraq.
A busy programme follows on September 16, with Al Wahda hosting three-time winners Kuwait SC, Al Khaldiya facing former champions Nasaf and Al Nahda taking on Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun.
Other West-region fixtures include Al Rayyan against two-time champions Al Faisaly, Al Hussein against East Bengal, and Al Shorta against 2022 champions Al Seeb.
In the East region, FC Seoul begin their campaign against Indonesia’s Persib Bandung on September 16, while The Cong–Viettel face Melbourne Victory.
Further matches will be played on September 17, including Lion City Sailors against BG Pathum United, Adelaide United against Tai Po, FC Machida Zelvia against Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng and Shanghai Shenhua against Tampines Rovers.
Kitchee will meet Gangwon FC, while Phnom Penh Crown host continental newcomers Kuching City.
The group stage will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format and conclude on December 9.
The top two clubs from each group will qualify for the Round of 16, scheduled for February 9–18, 2027.
The quarter-finals are scheduled as part of the March 2–18 knockout period, followed by the semi-finals from April 6–14.
The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 final is scheduled for May 15, when the competition’s new champion will be crowned.
