ACL Elite & ACL Two Preliminary Stages Kick Off
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - The preliminary rounds for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) and AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) present high-stakes knockout clashes across East Asia, with teams vying for a spot in their respective group/league stages.
AFC Champions League Elite (East) Preliminary Stage
The winners of these direct single-leg playoffs advance directly into the 32-team ACL Elite League Stage, while the losing sides drop into the ACL Two group stage.
Adelaide United 🇦🇺 vs. Cong An Ha Noi FC 🇻🇳
Adelaide United wants to qualify for the League Stage and play in Asia's top club competition for the sixth time overall (their first since 2017). On the other hand, Công An Hà Nügei FC (CAHN), the 2025/26 V.League 1 winners, are trying to make it to their first-ever ACL Elite season.
Location: Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium (Coopers Stadium). 7:00 PM ACST is the kickoff time.
Gangwon FC 🇰🇷 vs. Gamba Osaka 🇯🇵
Gangwon FC of South Korea hopes to make a second consecutive appearance in the main draw after making it to the Round of 16 during their continental debut. Gamba Osaka, the 2008 ACL winners and 2025/26 ACL Two champions, present them with a tough opponent as they aim to make their 11th continental trip and first since 2021 in Asia's premier division.
Location: Gangneung Stadium, Gangneung. 7:30 PM KST is the kickoff time.
AFC Champions League Two (East) Preliminary Stage
Persib Bandung 🇮🇩 vs. Manila Digger FC 🇵🇭
Persib Bandung, the 2025–2026 Liga 1 champions, will face Manila Digger FC, the Filipino champions, in the preliminary playoff for the second straight season. Persib hopes to secure their fourth ACL Two berth after winning the previous version and making it to the Round of 16. After winning their first domestic league title, Manila Digger hopes to improve on previous year's outcome and make their continental competition debut.
Location: Bandung's Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium. 7:00 PM WIB is the kickoff time.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is set to conduct the official draw ceremonies for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) League Stage and AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) Group Stage on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.