Jeddah Selected for AFC Champions League Elite Finals
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Synopsis
The AFC has officially announced Jeddah as the host for the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite Finals. The finals will feature Asia's top eight clubs competing in single-leg matches from April 25 to May 3, 2025, with a record prize of USD 12 million for the winners.
Key Takeaways
- Jeddah selected as host for the AFC Champions League Elite Finals.
- King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium will host matches.
- The finals will occur from April 25 to May 3, 2025.
- Winners will receive a prize of USD 12 million.
- Significant financial increases for finalists established.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 20 (NationPress) The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday the selected venues for the AFC Champions League Elite Finals 2024/25, where Asia’s premier eight clubs will compete for dominance in a centralized format with single-leg matches scheduled from April 25 to May 3, 2025.
After naming the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the Host Association for the AFC Champions League Elite Finals for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons back in December 2023, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah have been designated to host these critical matches for the most prestigious club title in Asian football.
Both venues, which will also be the stage for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, are set to host two Quarter-final matches and one Semi-final clash each. The much-anticipated final will take place at King Abdullah Sports City, where the champions will earn the largest-ever prize in Asian club football, valued at USD 12 million, according to an AFC statement.
As part of significant reforms, this financial incentive is three times greater than that of the 2023/24 season, while the runners-up will also receive an increased amount of USD 6 million, threefold compared to previous seasons.
The lineup for the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 West Zone's Round of 16 was finalized following the conclusion of the League Stage on February 18, with Esteghlal FC being the last team to secure their position. They will join Al Hilal SFC (KSA), Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA), Al Nassr Club (KSA), Al Sadd SC (QAT), Al Wasl FC (UAE), Al Rayyan SC (QAT), and Pakhtakor FC (UZB).
In the East, Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) completed the league phase as leaders, joining the AFC Champions League 2023/24 runners-up alongside Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (MAS), Gwangju FC (KOR), Vissel Kobe (JPN), Buriram United (THA), Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN), and Shanghai Port FC (CHN).
The first leg of the Round of 16 is set for March 3 to 5, with the return matches scheduled for the following week.
Round of 16 Match-ups (Two legs)
West
Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Pakhtakor FC (UZB)
Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) vs Al Rayyan SC (QAT)
Al Nassr Club (KSA) vs Esteghlal FC (IRN)
Al Sadd SC (QAT) vs Al Wasl FC (UAE)
East
Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) vs Shanghai Port FC (CHN)
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)
Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (MAS) vs Buriram United (THA)
Gwangju FC (KOR) vs Vissel Kobe (JPN)
